Lead Partners

Since its founding in 2020, The Building Fund has worked with lead partners The Lab at ConnCORP and The New Haven Free Public Library to produce seven contemporary art exhibitions, six public programs, five artist talks, and two educational workshops. Read below to learn more about each initiative and to view the virtual exhibitions.

ConnCORP

In the fall of 2023, Erik Clemons–Founding CEO of ConnCAT and ConnCORP–contracted nico w. okoro of The Building Fund to design, develop, and operationalize a dedicated space for art and artists on ConnCORP’s Hamden campus. In the spring of 2024, Orchid Gallery was born and it has since become a destination for emerging art and Black culture in New Haven.

Orchid Gallery–a new exhibition space showcasing artworks by early-career artists of color who call the Greater New Haven Area home–was established to meet the following community needs: to invest in artists as visionary yet economically marginalized creative entrepreneurs; to build accessible, culturally-specific space in Greater New Haven; and to mobilize the power of Black art in cultivating an engaged local arts community. Orchid Gallery is powered by a spirit of innovation and experimentation, and celebrates artists who boldly question and envision creative solutions to the socio-economic issues that disproportionately impact our communities.

Orchid Gallery sits on the ground-level of ConnCORP’s Hamden campus located at 496 Newhall Street and shares a floor with Recess Café and Orchid Hall, a large event rental space. Orchid Gallery is open to the public Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm and by appointment. To book an appointment, please email the@bldg.fund.

The New Haven Free Public Library

Over the past five years, The Building Fund has partnered with multiple branches of The New Haven Free Public to both produce and present community programs, educational workshops, and contemporary art exhibitions. These artist-powered platforms for community engagement provide informal opportunities for neighbors off all ages and from all backgrounds to engage visionary art and artists, on their own terms. Building upon the generosity of Diane Brown, Branch Manager at Stetson Library, and Marian Huggins, Branch Manager at Mitchell Library, The Building Fund has enhanced our city’s public learning environments, connecting readers to important, living sources of inspiration.