NJ Arts Council Awards $1.6 Million to Morris County; Swears in Colbert

Funding supports local arts access, economic development, and cultural preservation across all 21 counties with a total of over $29 million in grants. Additionally, Evie McGee Colbert, wife of Stephen Colbert, was sworn in as the newest member of the Council.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has approved more than $29 million in grant funding to nearly 1,000 arts organizations, artists, and initiatives across the state, with nearly $1.6 million allocated to Morris County organizations, according to announcements made at the Council’s 59th Annual Meeting on July 23.

This year’s investment, drawn from the state’s Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee, supports programming in all 21 counties and underscores the Council’s mission to foster economic development, educational enrichment, and cultural engagement through the arts.

In Morris County, eight grants were awarded, including:

• $489,236 to Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown) for general operating support as a performing arts presenter.

• $342,752 to Morris Arts (Morristown) through the Local Arts Program.

• $184,299 to Morris Museum (Morristown) for multidisciplinary programming, with an additional $48,000 for the Arts Annual.

• $241,805 to Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Madison) for general operating support.

• $158,086 to New Jersey Ballet Company (Florham) for dance programming.

• $73,549 to The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of NJ (Netcong).

• $10,000 to Morris Arts for a Creative Aging Initiative.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the dual impact of the arts on the economy and culture, stating, “By supporting artists, we are not only stimulating economic growth, but celebrating the cultural diversity that strengthens our state.”

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Council in her capacity as Secretary of State, added, “An investment in the arts is an investment in our communities and overall quality of life for all New Jerseyans.”

The Council also announced the 2026 New Jersey Heritage Fellows, honoring traditional artists for excellence and contributions to the state’s cultural heritage. These fellowships highlight the role of folk and traditional arts in maintaining New Jersey’s diverse cultural identity.

Additionally, Evie McGee Colbert, wife of Stephen Colbert, was sworn in as the newest member of the Council. McGee Colbert previously co-chaired the Governor’s NJ Arts and Culture Recovery Working Group during the pandemic. Her appointment was welcomed by Council Chair Felicia Grant, who praised her leadership and longstanding advocacy for the arts.

The Council presented its Fiscal Year 2025 Year in Review, reflecting on the impact of prior grant programs and services delivered to artists, arts workers, and nonprofit organizations. The Council continues to prioritize initiatives in arts education, creative aging, and equitable access, aligning its programs with goals of community vitality and cultural inclusion.

Established in 1966 as part of the New Jersey Department of State, the Council is the state’s largest arts funder and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. It aims to ensure access to the arts for all New Jerseyans by promoting creative expression, lifelong learning, and public engagement in the arts.

More information on current and future grant programs is available at www.artscouncil.nj.gov.