Convene. Strategize. Implement.

The iQuilt Partnership exists to promote cultural vitality and a robust public domain in the city of Hartford and throughout the Hartford region.

We have developed connections among hundreds of community groups, corporations, and individuals, developing a reputation for high-impact community engagement efforts that have delivered projects promoting walking, culture and innovation. These projects support collaborative community visions that promote sustainability, prosperity, equity, mobility and vibrancy.

We also specifically work with design professionals to ensure that Hartford’s public space is aesthetically superior, inclusive, and approachable while honoring the rich historic story of the community.

Our Story

The iQuilt Partnership was officially incorporated in 2011 to advocate for, and oversee the implementation of, the iQuilt Plan. The iQuilt Plan began with the recognition that cultural institutions have a key role to play in shaping the urban environment. City governments have usually led efforts to plan and revitalize cities. But in our era most municipalities must stretch to provide even essential public services. Cultural institutions are uniquely positioned to support - even lead - efforts at city building. In many cases, they are already in the business of making and caring for environments and artifacts.  As non-profit institutions devoted to public benefit they have often earned the trust of broad sectors of their communities. They are physically anchored in specific locations and therefore have long-term vested interest in the urban environments they inhabit. Most recognize that their own success is tethered to the success of their home cities. This means that even venues like theaters and museums have an inherent interest in broader economic opportunity, urban redevelopment, healthy employment and social vibrancy.

In 2008, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts recognized these conditions as it began to assess its own urban surroundings. The Bushnell’s founding mandate not only calls for staging performances but more broadly for improving the entire community’s access to the arts and the sciences. The Bushnell initiated an exploration of urban improvements that became The iQuilt Plan.

The Bushnell launched a new organization called The iQuilt Partnership. The Bushnell invited the business community and government officials, both city and state, to join the effort, and they provided critical financial, legislative and administrative assistance.  The result was a unique consortium of public, private and nonprofit entities working together to enhance the public realm and the public good.

The iQuilt Partnership has provided catalytic influence on our stakeholders and their role in the community. As mentioned in the Ten Years of Transformation book, iQuilt has provided influence and consistency in a non-partisan collaborative way in its work which is a hallmark of its success.