New Jersey State Arts Council Celebrates Historic $1.2M Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

The largest-ever National Endowment for the Arts partnership grant bolsters statewide arts education, community development, and the vibrant cultural heritage of New Jersey.

In a monumental moment for the New Jersey arts scene, the State Council on the Arts has been awarded a historic grant of $1,190,200 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This funding marks the most substantial NEA partnership grant in the Council's 57-year history, supporting its operations and key priorities such as arts education, folk and traditional arts, and community and economic development.

For nearly six decades, the Council has been the beneficiary of the NEA's State and Regional Partnerships program, facilitating the reach of federal resources into arts agencies across the nation. This year's grant signifies an unprecedented milestone, reflecting the strength and resilience of New Jersey's arts and cultural landscape.

Further extending the NEA's support to New Jersey, an additional 19 direct grants were announced for local organizations, boosting arts programming across the state. With these grants, the NEA's investment in New Jersey for the upcoming year totals an impressive $1,852,200.

Secretary of State Tahesha Way praised the landmark investment, emphasizing the importance of arts in the state. "The arts mean business in New Jersey, and this significant investment further demonstrates the vital role the arts play throughout our communities," she said. "We are thrilled that the Endowment recognizes and celebrates the artistic excellence New Jersey is known for."

Echoing Way's sentiments, NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, underscored the transformative power of the arts, and lauded the contributions of the recipient organizations. "These organizations play an important role in advancing the creative vitality of our nation and helping to ensure that all people can benefit from arts, culture, and design," she said.

Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, expressed gratitude for the historic support from the NEA. "As our state's arts industry continues working towards resiliency and stability, it is of the utmost importance that artists and arts organizations see that state and federal support is ongoing," said Tratner.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the NJ Department of State, was established in 1966 to foster public interest in the arts, promote artistic expression, and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. Partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Council remains steadfast in its belief that the arts are integral to community values such as human understanding, cultural pride, education, creative expression, and economic opportunity.

For more information about the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov. With this historic grant, the state looks forward to further enriching its vibrant arts scene and reinforcing the transformative power of the arts within communities statewide.