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 City School of the Arts 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 built in Connecticut, and are dedicated to preserving the building and its inspiring legacy.
Supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign.
Youth Arts News
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
The Lives of Latina|x|e Women Matter
The Life Stories of Latina|x|e Women Matter. Would You Like to Be a Part of Preserving Them? Las historias en las vidas de mujeres latina|x|e importan. ¿Te gustaría ser parte de preservarlas? Are you a Latina|x|e woman who would like to learn about what oral...
Virtual Conversation: Black Farmers, Black Farming & “Black Earth Wisdom”
https://youtu.be/GjIpTLU6Yn8
Summer Fun with our Youth Arts Students!
We've just a wrapped a fun and education summer of Youth Arts classes at Charter Oak Cultural Center. Enjoy some highlights of our great students who worked, played and learned! https://youtu.be/rdP01amLrQM Movement Class Movement Class Movement Class Cooking Class...
SPLIT SCREEN, Part 1: America’s Underlying Current of Racism
By Rabbi Donna Berman, PhD The Talmud tells us that to destroy one life is to destroy an entire world. In other words, each human life transcends the usual metrics of longevity, wealth, influence, status. Every life, the Rabbis are saying, changes the...
Stephen Riege’s Essay Inspired by The 1619 Project
Fear of the Unknown? Choose Learning I am a retired middle and high school teacher. Truth be told I retired ten years ago. I have been busy these years but do miss the classroom and the learning environment where young people wrestle with ideas. When asked if I might...
Robert Cooper’s Reflections on The 1619 Project
March 1, 2023 Dear America, I don't have my gaze on being the next Black martyr - dead. turn your guns the other way. keep your promise, never again a black martyr. And, I have something to say and, I'm saying it: I don't go anywhere without invitation....
“Moishe Teichman to Arthur Murray” Virtual Talk with Duby McDowell
https://youtu.be/w1xe8MNjjE4 Enjoy these images that accompany Duby's talk.
Historic Stained Glass Restoration
Charter Oak Cultural Center Kicks Off Major Renovation Project With Restoration and Installation of Historic Stained Glass Windows Charter Oak Cultural Center, housed in one of Connecticut’s architectural jewels--the first synagogue built in Connecticut-- is about to...
WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
A Reflection by Rabbi Donna Berman There is a famous Buddhist teaching about how, soon after his enlightenment, the Buddha passed a man on the road who was struck by the Buddha’s peaceful and radiant presence. The man stopped and asked, “My friend, what are...