The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists

11/20/2025

Frances "Bitsie" Clark, a giant of the arts world and architect of the Audubon Arts District, received a proper sendoff Wednesday morning, as spoken word, song, an original hymn and organ music filled Battell Chapel in the heart of the city she loved so much.

11/19/2025

Please join us at Bitsie Clark's celebration of life next Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 9:30 a.m. at Battell Chapel in downtown New Haven.

10/22/2025

This year, grantees include artists Marquis Brantley and Thabisa Rich.

10/22/2025

Clark, a champion of culture, public servant and steadfast mentor who brought New Haven together through the arts, died Friday at the age of 93.

10/14/2025

Frances “Bitsie” Clark, the gravel-voiced open-hearted people person and unshakeable optimist who led New Haven’s late 20th century cultural revival and the development of the Audubon Arts District, died Friday surrounded by loved ones in her apartment at the Whitney Center retirement communit...

11/12/2024

The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists sends our deepest condolences to the family of Bob Parker. We are so saddened at his passing. Bob was a major figure in the Greater New Haven cultural scene. For 30 years he was a teacher and the Director at ACES Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) in New Haven’s Audubon Arts District.

Bitsie Clark recalls Bob’s history. “After graduating college, Bob took a night job at ECA, basically sitting at the front desk as kind of a door sitter. After that humble start, he eventually became a teacher and then a fantastic director.

“One of the extremely important things Bob did was to open up ECA to the whole community. Bob opened it up to the outside world, so community organizations could use the spaces. It became more than a school building. He made it an integral part of Audubon Street and played a major role in the development of the Audubon Arts District.”

Bob’s positive impact went well beyond the arts. With his beloved partner David Carter, he promoted communication across differences and helped to build inclusive community.

05/16/2024

Thank you Arts Council for the coverage!
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The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists, dedicated to enriching Greater New Haven by investing in its artists, is excited to announce plans for its 2024 award process.

05/19/2023

Apply at thebitsieclarkfund.org today!

11/10/2022

Last month we celebrated Bitsie's 91st birthday! Happy Birthday to you!

Photos: Stacy Graham-Hunt

11/10/2022

Learn more about our 2022 grant winners, Isaac Bloodworth and Alexandra Diaz at thebitsieclarkfund.org!

05/03/2022

The Bitsie Clark Fund: $5,000 Grants

Deadline June 1st

Dedicated to enriching Greater New Haven by investing in its artists.

---Learn more at https://thebitsieclarkfund.org/
---Apply at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2FTZrngfnS8qpcUyE1lSZxteyCA2G8cKus5dA8Dv_2If-8A/viewform

04/27/2022

Worlds collided earlier this month, as five dozen seniors, administrators, and staff members at the Whitney Center gathered for a performance of the play.