Charter Oak Cultural Center
Charter Oak Cultural Center is a vibrant multi-cultural arts center committed to doing the work of social justice through the arts. Here’s how:
Our Youth Arts Institute offers audition and tuition-free classes in the arts to Hartford youth ages six through eighteen.
Our Beat of the Street programming provides educational and employment opportunities to the homeless community.
Our professional multicultural performances and exhibits provide access to the arts for everyone because no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.
We are stewards of the historic building we call home, the first synagogue build in Connecticut, and are dedicated to preserving the building and its inspiring legacy.
Upcoming Events
From Charter Oak With Love 2
From Charter Oak With Love 2
We are delighted to offer another FREE virtual event filled with art, music, and, yes, even more love. We will also celebrate Charter Oak's 2020 Vision Awards honorees - Andrea Kasper, Jeffrey Greene, and Bernadine Silvers.
American Dreams – A Virtual Theatre Performance
American Dreams – A Virtual Theatre Performance
George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” – A Virtual Theatre Reading
George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” – A Virtual Theatre Reading
Kristallnacht – A Multicultural, Interfaith Remembrance
Kristallnacht – A Multicultural, Interfaith Remembrance
Youth Arts News
Youth Arts Events
Good Vibrations participants Hartford Police Officer Hiram Otero and student Kayke Lopes were honored as part of the White House’s “Champions of Change” program for their work in building trust and improving public safety in communities. “Good Vibrations” pairs Hartford youth with Hartford officers for a 12-week music program in either rap/poetry or guitar.
A former synagogue located in a Hispanic neighborhood, hosting an African-American event that is attended by people of all ethnicities – how cool is that?
Charter Oak Cultural Center lives in Connecticut’s oldest synagogue building. The building was home to Congregation Beth Israel as well as several other religious institutions over the years, until it was abandoned in the 1970s.
The innovative programming at Charter Oak Cultural Center is sustained by a diverse community of dedicated supporters. Consider joining the Charter Oak community today.
Latest News
Our Rose Window Has Returned!
stained glassmy mind wanderingback to my prayer- Bill Kenney Thanks to the generosity of the Charter Oak Cultural Center family of supporters, our beloved Rose Window has been returned its home in our sanctuary! As you may recall, last fall, we discovered that...
Poetry Corner: e e cummings
Eats of Street, featured on WFSB
Donna Berman, Executive Director of Charter Oak Cultural Center, explains Beat of the Street's fresh food program Eats of the Street. "We put these pots on the street and we fill them with organic vegetable plants, and anybody can pick the vegetables when they're...
Charter Oak’s #FacetotheName project
The Hartford Courant recently did a feature on Charter Oak's #FacetotheName project, a daily Facebook series that shares the faces of Black individuals who have been killed in altercations with the police. The article also features Unspoken Truths moderator Joelle...
Charter Oak’s Music Matters program, featured on WFSB
“Unlike sports, everyone’s in the game. When you have a band or an ensemble, all the kids are needed. You don’t say, 'You clarinet, go sit over here while you wait for these clarinets to play.' Everybody’s in the game so I think music’s special in that way, when...
Youth Arts Institute Fall 2020 Update
This fall, Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Youth Arts Institute will be offering virtual arts classes in music, dance, theater, visual arts and more! Our programs are available to any student age 6 to 18 in the Greater Hartford area. All classes are free, and supplies...