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
Virtual Exhibit: UNCAGED ART – Tornillo Children’s Detention Camp
Virtual Exhibit: UNCAGED ART – Tornillo Children’s Detention Camp
Charter Oak Chatter: “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
Charter Oak Chatter: “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
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
Announcing THE EMPATHY DIARIES – A 2-Part Conversation with Sherry Turkle
Hartford Stage, The Mark Twain House & Museum and Charter Oak Cultural Center presentTHE EMPATHY DIARIES: A Two-Part conversation with SHERRY TURKLE Three of Hartford’s premier cultural institutions join together for an intimate two-part conversation with...
Charter Oak Announces the Sustainable CT Challenge to expand our Eats of the Street program!
Charter Oak Cultural Center is working to expand its Eats of the Street program with the addition of new container gardens on the streets of Hartford, arbors added to existing pots to increase food output, and the hiring of additional Hartford individuals experiencing...
Charter Oak proudly presents the Fall 2020 Youth Arts Institute Showcase
https://youtu.be/hDnmuKC5qcI
YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE: An Essay by Rabbi Donna Berman
August 5, 2020In Hebrew, there are three words--nefesh, neshama and ruach—that, with slight nuances, all mean “soul” or “spirit.” What’s interesting is that all three words also mean “breath.” What is the connection between soul, spirit and...
Read The Hartford Courant story on UNCAGED ART
The Hartford Courant arts reporter Susan Dunne recently spoke with Dr. Yolanda Leyva of the University of Texas El Paso's Museo Urbano exhibit, UNCAGED ART: TORNILLO CHILDREN'S DETENTION CENTER. See the preview of the exhibit by clicking HERE.
REPARATIONS – THE HOLY WORK OF REPAIR: An Essay by Rabbi Donna Berman
January 26, 2021 When I was 11 years old, our 6th grade class went on a field trip to Manhattan. I have lots of memories from that outing. It was a lovely spring day, one of those days when the trees are filled with iridescent green leaves so small that they look...
Charter Oak Receives $5,918 Grant from Connecticut Natural Gas
Charter Oak Cultural Center is delighted to announce that it is the recipient of a $5,918 grant Connecticut Natural under Connecticut’s Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program. The funding will allow for mechanical systems upgrades resulting in increased energy...
“From Charter Oak With Love 2” is available for streaming!
Enjoy the show by clicking the video below! https://vimeo.com/482358909/243df31073
Our 2020 Kristallnacht Commemoration
If you weren't able to join us for our Virtual Kristallnacht Commemoration, we are pleased to make this video available here. Special thanks to the contributors who have made this program so moving and to Eric Budney for his video expertise....
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...