Charter Oak Cultural Center is a nonprofit, multicultural arts center and historic landmark whose mission is to do the work of social justice through the arts in Hartford and beyond. Charter Oak is housed in the first synagogue built in Connecticut (in 1876) that was saved from demolition in the 1970s, Charter Oak is an active partner in revitalizing Hartford’s downtown.

With a $1.2 million operating budget, the Center provides a free, high-quality arts education to 1,000 underserved Hartford children in our City School of the Arts including classes in creative writing, theater, drawing and painting; lessons in piano, guitar, drums, and brass instruments; and the opportunity to be a part of Hartford’s first all-city youth orchestra and brass band. Charter Oak presents exhibits, performances, and arts events attended by 2,000 people annually that celebrate our rainbow of cultures and explore the burning issues of our day and from which no one is ever turned away for lack of funds. In addition, Charter Oak offers three programs for members of the homeless community that provide educational and employment opportunities

Under the leadership of Executive Director Rabbi Donna Berman, Charter Oak has embarked on a capital campaign that funded the purchase of an adjacent building at 25 Charter Oak Avenue (built in 1858) that will enable us to create a beautiful campus on which even more people can enjoy and study the arts. Thus far, Charter Oak has raised $4.7 million and received a $6.5 million grant for the synagogue from the Community Investment Fund. Charter Oak is inviting everyone in the community to participate in raising the final $1.5 million of its $12.7 million capital campaign goal. These funds will enable us to complete the renovation and welcome 250 additional young people and their families to our City School of the Arts. Your contribution will help us install a state-of-the-art HVAC system, create more classrooms, make the entire building accessible to all and expand our operating budget annually for the next five years to meet the surge of new students and audience members.

Executive Director Rabbi Donna Berman, our Board of Directors, and the Campaign Committee led by Campaign Chair Merrill Mandell and Honorary Campaign Chair Joyce Mandell carefully manage capital campaign funds. Construction costs were gathered through a competitive bidding process from respected builders in Hartford who are aligned with our success. Charter Oak Cultural Center has earned Guidestar’s Gold Badge for financial transparency.

My House shall be a House for all people. We want all who enter our campus to know that it is they who make these buildings home. Please donate any amount that is meaningful to you. Help us bring to life our expanded campus so that we may serve our beloved community even more. Donate today!