The Richard S. Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship

On August 24, 2002, Richard S. Dart passed away. He was known throughout New Haven and the Connecticut shoreline as a gentleman and a friend. I knew him as my father. My father had always wanted to be an actor when he was growing up. However, fate handed him a different card. Instead of going to school to become an actor, he chose to serve in the armed forces. After his tenure of duty was complete, he returned to civilian life on his own. He became a teller at New Haven Savings Bank and through the years worked his way up to First Vice-President. But the acting bug never went away. In the early 1990s, Richard S. Dart became an active member in both the Clinton Park and Rec Family Theater and the Nutmeg Players, two acting troupes based in Clinton, CT. His numerous roles included Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz, a cross dresser in Minnie's Boys and his favorite, the train car rider in The Music Man that was played in the film version by the legendary Max Showalter.

In addition to acting, my father had a great love for writing and sent in many a manuscript to many a publisher with only a few short stories actually being published. I know that this was one dream that could not be fully realized. But, I also know that he would stop at nothing to make sure it was realized for someone else. My father had a great love of education and a great love of the arts. If he didn't, I wouldn't be a musician and my sister wouldn't be a dancer. He believed that with an education, you could go anywhere you want to. That is why my family and I have decided to set up this scholarship in his name. We feel that he would be honored and proud to know that he was helping someone realize his or her dreams through education. We plan to keep the scholarship going as long as possible. Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior attending one of the schools located on the CT shoreline who plans on pursing a career in the arts.

If you would like to donate to this great cause, contact us by e-mail and we will send you all of the information needed.

Congratulations to Margaret Achae of Clinton, CT! Margaret is this year's winner of The Richard S. Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship!

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a high school senior enrolled at one of the following CT high schools: Branford High, Guilford High, Daniel Hand High, The Morgan School, Westbrook High or Old Saybrook High.

 If you are interested in applying for it, please send us an e-mail and we will send you the information needed.

Past Winners

2004 - Jacob Schell, Branford, CT           2005 - Jessica Cole, Westbrook, CT           2006 - Margie Achea, Clinton, CT