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Arts For All

The Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University is committed to providing high-caliber arts learning and experiences to K-12th grade students in our community, with particular focus on those students in under-resourced communities.

The Quick is proud to partner with Bridgeport Public Schools and additional schools and programs throughout the Fairfield County community. The benefits of the partnership in fostering a lifetime engagement in arts and culture are far-reaching, serving more than 3,000 K-12th grade students annually. The partnership is guided by the shared belief that educational arts experiences have a significant, positive impact on academic, social, and emotional outcomes.

Arts for All Initiative at a Glance

  • Free workshops and hands-on learning experiences through which students work with artists and learn more about the creative process;
  • Subsidized tickets and bus transportation to the Quick’s School Matinee Series, providing exposure to live performances, learn more about the School Matinee Series;
  • A season ticket program offering hundreds of free tickets to events for Bridgeport students and their families;
  • Scholarships for youth to participate in Quick Summer Camps in a variety of topics including musical theatre, visual art, circus, dance, improv, and more, serving more than 100 fourth through tenth grade students, learn more about our Summer Camp programs;
  • Opportunities for Fairfield University undergraduate and graduate students to share their arts experiences and knowledge with K-12th grade students through mentorship and performance;
  • Additionally, high school juniors and seniors can pursue mentorships and internships at the Quick Center, to learn about potential career choices in arts administration in the areas of programming, marketing, finance & administration, technical theatre, and development/fundraising.
A group of people on stage holding a large net, engaged in a lively performance or demonstration.
A group of children sitting on the floor, engaged and watching a piano performance.
A lively group of people performing on stage, playing various drums together.

 

The Quick Center is now managing two multi-year partnerships. Learn more in the information below.

Support for the Arts for All initiative is provided by individual donors and partners including the Howard and Katherine Aibel Foundation, the Herman Goldman Foundation, and the Lundberg Family Foundation. To help make an impact, donate today to the Quick Center’s Arts Education and Outreach Fund.

For more information on how to engage with artists, please contact Katie Lang, manager of engagement initiatives, at 203-254-4000 x2535 or via email at klang@fairfield.edu.

 

Regional Center Music Fellows: A Quick Center Initiative
A Three-Year Expanded Partnership with the Regional Center for the Arts

Starting in Fall 2025, the Quick kicked-off a three-year initiative with the Regional Center for the Arts. The program will focus on a cohort of 30 music students in 9th and 10th grades with additional educational benefits for 9th – 12th graders. Every month, the students in the cohort will work directly with professional musicians to experience high-caliber access and education. As part of the 2025-26 season, the students worked with violinist, educator, composer, and entrepreneur, Daniel Bernard Roumain. For the 2026-27 season, the students will work with acclaimed chamber ensemble, Castle of Our Skins.

In addition to working with professional artists, students are provided transportation, meals, and free tickets to attend performances throughout the Quick’s season with opportunities to meet the artists, as well as opportunities to learn about college and financial aid opportunities at Fairfield University.

The program is being evaluated over the three years by Fairfield University faculty member, Robert Hannifin, PhD, joined by undergraduate and graduate students, to demonstrate the long-term positive impact of arts education and partnership with a university arts presenter.

 

Partnership with the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention/Residential Center

The Quick first partnered with the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center in Spring 2023 offering one-time workshops with touring artists. This spearheaded a growing demand for opportunities to experience more hands-on learning through the arts for the students, boys between the ages of 13-17.

The Quick developed a curriculum with circus artist and educator Cynthia Rauschert of Circus Moves (M.S. Therapeutic Recreation). She has experience working with a wide range of ages with differing abilities and learning styles. Evidence suggests that circus arts education engages diverse populations and promotes social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual gains in health and wellness at or above the level of typical programs or activities. As part of the program the students focus on skill-building and teamwork. Equipment is provided so students can continue practicing between sessions when appropriate.

In addition to monthly workshops being offered with Cynthia Rauschert from October 2025 – June 2026, the students experienced a Spring Break Circus Camp with artist Janoah Bailin and will have access to additional enrichment experiences throughout the summer and into the new school year.