Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Updated 12/3/2019

ARTREACH, INCORPORATED

  • C

    CT

Institution/Business Type: Social Services Organization

Artreach is a non-profit Arts and Mental Health agency that uses the creative arts as a tool for healing of individuals and community. Artreach's program members are adults with mental illnesses who come together to create theater, music, and visual arts. Our community of practice is rooted in compassionate awareness, and our activities are focused on the personal and artistic growth of each person. Artreach is also committed to social change, and each public performance is an opportunity to educate the public about people who have mental illnesses, and about how and where to get help when one needs it.

Programs at Artreach include:

Theater - Playwriting classes and readings, stand up comedy writing and performance, sketch comedy writing and performance.

Music: Weekly Jazz jam, annual Music Showcase with two house bands and up to 25 singers, guitar and bass lessons available.

Visual arts: Local artists present classes and create work for art shows at local galleries.

Classes: Playwriting, poetry writing, guitar lessons, art classes, knitting groups, etc.

Wellness program: Walking Club

Recreation program: Theater trips, music concerts, dance concerts, movies, paint-you-own ceramics, etc.

 

Find Me

Rebecca Atkins
Job Title: Executive Director
Phone: 860-887-0014
Address:
401 WEST THAMES STREET
UNIT 702
Norwich, CT 06360

Social Media:

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Social Services Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1985

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Social Services Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1985

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Theater - Variety / Vaudeville

Additional Disciplines:

  • Visual/Crafts - Photography

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Arts and Health
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 20

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities

Geographic Reach:

  • National

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility
  • Access accommodations for people who are blind, partially sighted, and have low vision
  • Access accommodations for people who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Accessible website and/or multimedia for people with sensory disabilities

Accommodations for those with learning disabilities and mental illnesses and for those who are sensitive to smells (we are a smoke-free, low-fragrance community). Will provide scripts for sign language interpreters when asked.

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Three Rivers Community College

Date: 12/2015-12/2015

Artreach's "Comic Alchemy" Stand Up For Mental Health comedy team performed an educational comedy and music show for Three Rivers students. The focus was on Nursing students as they begin their Psych rotation. A candid Q & A between audience and the performers, adults who have been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, helped reduce preconceived notions about people with mental illnesses and dispel their fears as they go into their mental health nursing training.

NORWICH ARTS COUNCIL - DONALD L. OAT THEATER

Performance Facility

Date: 11/2015-11/2015

Artreach performs several shows a year at the Norwich Arts Center's Donald Oat Theater, ranging from Artreach produced theater and music shows, to participation in Norwich Arts Center's Open Mic nights

SETH LEPORE

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Date: 09/2015-09/2015

Seth Lepore trained Artreach members and community members in a two day Arts and Entrepreneurship class, and performed his show "Kickin' Ass and Takin' Names."

SPIRIT OF BROADWAY THEATER

Performing Group

Date: 05/2015-05/2015

Artreach produced an Annual Music Showcase at the Spirit of Broadway Theater (now called Chestnut Street Playhouse). 

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Americans for the Arts
  • Connecticut Association of Non-Profits

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Americans for the Arts
  • Connecticut Association of Non-Profits

Awards

Awards:

  • National Council for Behavioral Healthcare (2013)
  • CT Office of the Arts 2019 Arts Hero (Becca Atkins)
  • 2019 NAACP Community Service Award (Norwich, CT)
  • Keep the Promise Mental Health in the Media Award (2019)
  • Katharine Hepburn Award for Using Media as a Platform for Social Change (CHRO, 2019)