Dear Friends,   

On October 4, I had the great pleasure of helping to open a new exhibit developed with wonderful partners at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Native New England Now: Celebrating Six Years of NEFA's Native Arts Program is a stunning installation featuring work in a range of media by many of the artists NEFA has supported to date. We were honored by the presence of so many of these artists, who traveled from all over New England to attend, and welcomed guests including advisors, funders, and state arts agency partners whose guidance and support have been invaluable.

We have just published NEFA's 2013 Annual Report which I am delighted to share here--a reflection on the many artists and communities supported through NEFA programs, and their creativity, innovation, and impact in New England and beyond. I hope you'll take a moment to read it, pass it on, and let us know what you think.

Thank you for your part in the work we do. I hope you will join us for the Idea Swap on November 7!   

Rebecca Blunk, Executive Director

P.S. Stay tuned for the upcoming launch of CreativeGround! 

Thanks to Kip McMahan for his service on the NEFA Board of Directors.

Congratulations to NEFA Native Arts program manager Dawn Spears (Narragansett), who was honored on October 20 by the Tomaquag Museum for her impact on Indigenous Arts & Culture. 

National Theater Project program manager Quita Sullivan (Montaukett) received a Community Catalyst award, recognizing artists and arts educators, from Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, MA, as part of their centennial celebration on October 10.

Welcome to new staff Robert A. Brennan (Staff Accountant, pictured above left) and Elizabeth Quaglieri (Program Coordinator, Creative Economy, pictured above right).