Taneisha Duggan spent his life in the arts and had a deep appreciation for the fine arts, especially in Hartford.
Now she has been appointed inaugural director of Office of city arts, culture and entertainment by The mayor of Hartford Arunan Arulampalam.
The position was initially announced in October 2024 and the office was funded by an agreement with Goodworks Entertainment. The program also includes a five -year rental of Bushnell ParkAnd an additional contribution based on costs by tickets from the Groove Festival capital, according to the city.
“Goodworks Entertainment is delighted to see the Arts, Culture and Entertainment Office pass this next important step. We look forward to working with director Duggan to further improve Hartford’s cultural offers and ensure the success of this vital initiative, “said Tyler Grill, co-founder and CEO of GoodWorks Entertainment in a press release.
Duggan, a Middletown lifetime resident, said she had attended the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts.
“I am delighted to start this trip,” said Duggan. “A large part of my life was built around Hartford and it put me on my way. I had the chance to work with icons. Later, I was fortunate to teach the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and at the University of Hartford. My relationship with Hartford is deep. »»
In all, Duggan brings more than 20 years of experience in the theater to his new role. She worked as a producer, director and cultural architect.
Duggan was trained as an actor at the State University of New York Purchy College at the Théâtre and Cinema Arts School. Duggan has been an artistic producer at TheaterWorks since 2015.
Duggan has led the collaboration of TheaterWorks Hartford and River reuptake In a production of “Walden” organized on the banks of the Connecticut river. In addition, on its curriculum vitae are the main producer of First Night Hartford, manager at Julliard, and his former producer post with Octopus. She also had a passage in corporate marketing with Mattel.
Duggan said that it would coordinate all aspects of entertainment to maintain and develop the Hartford cultural landscape.
“The arts, culture and entertainment are vital and define us as a people and a place,” said Duggan. “The arts allow us to connect. This is something we can all agree on. The arts are essential to this reconnection of identity between them, a collective identity. I am looking for an opportunity to create a culture through its identity.
“There is a legacy of Hartford being a leading place for the great literary, artistic and economic minds,” she added. “This heritage excites me. I have been one of the arts for a long time in Hartford and this spirit is always very lively. I want to defend this voice for what Hartford is. I want to be an ambassador of this spirit and this excellence that we find here. »»
Duggan is starting its position in the coming weeks. Duggan said that she would be busy returning to the community and meeting artists and individual companies after working in New York in the past two years.
“I want to meet all the stakeholders who are invested in the arts and culture scene in Hartford,” said Duggan. “It’s the heart of the state and Hartford has always been important to me.”
Arulampalam said he was delighted to have duggan on board.
“Taneisha is an engine of the creative community of Hartford for decades,” said Arulampalam in a statement. “Her passion for the arts, the deep ties within the community and the dedication to shape the future of the Hartford arts landscape make it the ideal leader for the Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment. This office will play an essential role in the presentation of rich cultural assets of Hartford, to draw visitors and to promote opportunities for local artists to prosper. »»