To support 700 arts organizations, projects and artists throughout the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts bestowed over $15.7 million in grant funding.
The grant funding was announced at the Arts Council’s 52nd annual meeting that was held at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton on the evening of July 24.
“The New Jersey State Council on the Arts continues to build on its unwavering commitment to award grants to the arts community and support the partnerships we have seen here today,” said Secretary of State, Tahesha Way. “The arts challenge us to be creative and learn new skills, all of which help keep the mind astute and boost confidence. We congratulate and remain extremely grateful to today’s award winners for their contribution and dedication to preserving a vital resource in their communities that directly improves the quality of life for everyone.”
Funding for the Arts Council is provided by the Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee legislation, which was passed in 2003. It established a steadfast revenue flow to support arts, history and tourism throughout the state.
The Arts Council also receives annual grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Decisions to receive funding are made from an evident, merit-based and arduous process that assures access and equity. Grant applications are evaluated by independent peer panels to eradicate the chance for any conflicts of interests.
“Every year my colleagues and I marvel at what we discover about New Jersey’s arts industry, and I am very proud of the work we do,” said Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. “In every corner of our state, you can find a thriving and tenacious creative community.”
The Arts Council is coming off the previous year, where they had just as much success, where their grantees spent $275 million in New Jersey, employed around 25,000 workers and brought in around 7.5 million patrons who then spent around $232 million throughout the state.
New Jersey artists and arts organizations produced a dollar of local economic activity for every three cents they received from the Arts Council.
Forty-six of the organizations and projects that received the highest evaluations were recognized with Citations of Excellence. Thirty-four groups were chosen as Major Arts, Presenting or Service organizations in gratitude of their history of excellence, the breadth of their impact and their longstanding leadership.
All information for this story was provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.