Meet THE TEAM BEHIND CREATIVE U
MEET THE 3 LEADERS EMPOWERING LOCAL CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
It can often feel like Connecticut is overlooked when tastemakers are on the hunt for emerging creatives, but locals know the small state is home to innovative and risk-taking artists. In partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Sweet & Sounds is launching Creative U, a two day conference designed to support local creatives through educational and professional resources, alongside community-bolstering events. With a guest list featuring creative director Joe Perez, Creative U is on its way to being the premiere immersive conference for artists and left-brained entrepreneurs looking to level up.
In anticipation of the event, which takes place on October 11 and 12, Cafeteria sat down with the team behind the operations, Kolton Harris, Angel Dahfay and Adriane Jefferson to learn more how they’re working to sustain CT’s creative community. Continue scrolling to read the full interview.
KOLTON HARRIS FROM THE CT OFFICE OF THE ARTS
Kolton Harris
The Creative U program feels like a continuing evolution in programming from the Connecticut Office of Arts, such as various versions of the READI conferences, but these efforts have always been unique compared to what the COA does day to day. Could you share what motivates you and COA as a whole to engage directly in initiatives like Creative U?
Kolton Harris: Initiatives like Creative U are at the heart of the mission, vision and strategic focus of the Connecticut Office of Arts. We align with partnership opportunities like these because it is a space in which we can elevate, empower and engage the arts and culture sector with a directness that builds the ecosystem in healthier ways. We see this as a moment to stand alongside trailblazers in the community to strengthen our hopes for a brighter future in which the arts are central to an innovative economy and a robust, creative community.
Angel Dahfay
Being a close observer of your work with Sweets & Sounds, often your personal motivation seems to focus on filling voids in local culture or providing resources and education you wish already existed. How did Sweets & Sounds Con fulfill your hopes and dreams and how do you hope Creative U will take them further? Also, what's next for Sweets & Sounds after this?
Angel Dahfay: With Sweets & Sounds Con, the goal was to bring together diverse voices and talents from all creative fields and create a space where creativity is not only celebrated, but also empowered. Seeing its evolution and the connections that were made has been incredibly fulfilling. The event not only showcased talent, but allowed creatives to build networks and learn practical skills to further their careers.
Creative U takes that a step further. My vision for Creative U is to act like a mock university for creatives — a space where artists and entrepreneurs can immerse themselves in knowledge that’s directly applicable to their journey. It’s a conference, but with the structure and support of an educational experience. The majors and workshops are all about giving attendees the tools they need to not just survive in the industry, but to thrive long-term. What excites me the most about Creative U is the hands-on learning and the mentorship opportunities — it’s about real, actionable growth for those who attend.
As for what’s next with Sweets & Sounds, I’m always looking for new ways to foster creativity in the community. We’ve built an incredible foundation and now it’s about expanding — more events and more opportunities for creatives to collaborate. There’s definitely more to come and I’m excited to continue building on what we’ve started.
ANGEL DAHFAY OF SWEETS & SOUNDS
Adriane Jefferson from the City of New Haven. The City of New Haven is the host and partner of Creative U.
Adriane Jefferson
New Haven feels very now at the moment. For many young people in CT, the pull of New Haven from a cultural consumption perspective is palpable. Multiple culture makers seem to have found their footing and a market hungry enough to sustain a pretty wide variety of ideas and projects. Scenes peak and valley all the time and we've observed in CT's cities that sometimes valleys seem to overlap in a city, for instance, when a venue shuts down or a creative leader moves out of state. What do you think is behind New Haven's current moment? What do you think existing and future culture makers can do to sustain, whether here in New Haven or other cities in the region?
Adriane Jefferson: New Haven's current cultural moment is a direct result of concerted efforts around cultural equity and diversity that began in 2020. The cultural equity framework launched in 2022 has been pivotal in guiding us toward a more inclusive future. The community has voiced its desires for the arts and culture landscape, leading to partnerships with artists, stakeholders and influential figures to bridge gaps and foster an environment that embraces new ideas and innovation.
This collaborative approach has made New Haven a vibrant space for young people to gather and thrive. Our recognition as one of the New York Times' top 52 places to visit in the world further galvanized this movement, bringing together curators and presenters from diverse backgrounds — both emerging and legacy institutions. This diversity has strengthened our cultural landscape.
To sustain this momentum, ongoing partnerships are essential, along with financial investments from various stakeholders. We must prioritize artists' professional development and support creative entrepreneurship to empower individuals in our community. This includes providing resources and opportunities for wealth building among artists and creatives, ensuring they can thrive and contribute to New Haven’s cultural landscape and beyond it. By focusing on these areas, we can maintain the city’s vibrancy and foster a robust creative economy that benefits not just New Haven, but the entire region.