The mission of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is to promote the arts and cultural resources of northwestern Connecticut as integral contributors to the quality of life in the region, to assist all artists and cultural organizations in their efforts to thrive, and to inform the general public about, and give access to the arts and culture of the region. The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is one of nine private, nonprofit, regional cultural councils in Connecticut. It serves as a central source for cultural information for its 25-town service area and surroundings. Services include: • Online and printed Events Calendar • CultureBeat newsletter via E-Blast • Cultural Directory • Information about Opportunities and avenues for Instruction in the arts • CultureMAX Awards • Advocacy efforts • Workshops for the cultural community • Networking opportunities (CultureMIX events; Roundtable discussions, etc.) • Peer Advisory Network program (consulting services for nonprofits) • Directory of CT Authors and Literary Venues • Open Your Eyes studio tour • Collaborative region-wide projects (A Bear Affair, Locally Grown History, Chairish the Arts) • Fiscal Sponsorship services for artists and emerging nonprofits The region served by the Arts Council includes a population of approximately 185,000 people, both in the cultural community and the general public, throughout the following municipalities: Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Burlington, Colebrook, Cornwall, Falls Village/Canaan, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plymouth, Roxbury, Salisbury/Lakeville, Sharon, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winchester/Winsted.