Each year, the parents of ECA Students work together to support school events, fundraise & help the community.
The Great Give 2026 — A First for ECA
This spring, ECA participated in The Great Give 2026, Greater New Haven's annual 36-hour giving event, for one purpose: to do something that had never been done in our 50-year history.
For the first time ever, we launched a Graduating Senior Fund. No applications. No committees. Just our community coming together to send our graduating artists into the world with something meaningful in hand.
Through the generosity of donors, alumni, families, and friends, we raised $14,526! The class of 2026 had 67 graduating seniors, each of whom received a $150 gift from PACE to help them take their next step, whether that was college, conservatory, or a creative career they are building from scratch. Remaining funds will continue to support ECA students through programs, field trips, and more.
At the heart of the campaign was the Art-a-Thon — a live two-hour performance showcase streamed on Instagram and Facebook on May 7. Students from all five departments took the stage: Theatre, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Music, and Dance. It was an afternoon of everything that makes ECA extraordinary, watched by supporters from across Greater New Haven and beyond.
This was only the beginning. The Graduating Senior Fund will grow stronger every year—and we need even more help and support this year.
Interested in helping make The Great Give 2027 even bigger? We would love to have you on the team.
More ECA projects PACE supports
ECA Prom
Every spring, PACE helps make ECA's prom a night to remember. From funding the DJ and photo booth to showing up the night before to decorate and set up, our parent volunteers pour their time and energy into creating an experience worthy of the students who have worked so hard all year. Prom is one of the highlights of the ECA calendar for the students — and PACE is proud to be behind the scenes making it happen.
Senior Gifts
This year, PACE made history. For the first time in ECA's 50-year history, every graduating senior received a $150 gift—no application, no committee, no strings attached. Made possible through funds raised during The Great Give 2026, this gift was our community's way of celebrating the artists who have given so much to ECA and sending them into their next chapter with something meaningful in hand. It is a tradition we intend to build on for years to come.
Teacher Appreciation
ECA's teachers show up for our students every single day—and PACE makes sure they know how much the parents appreciate them. Throughout the year, PACE organizes Teacher Appreciation events that bring a little warmth to the school day, from hot cocoa bars and homemade cookies to heartfelt notes and community support. It is a small way of saying thank you to the people who make ECA what it is.
Want to help support ECA?
Behind every performance, every prom, and every senior gift is a group of parents who showed up. Be part of what makes the ECA community extraordinary. Fill out this form to get started.