Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts received a grant of $42,681 from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) to support their new season of programs, projects, and events that serve the campus and the community. The awards were announced on Tuesday, July 23 at the Council’s 53rd annual meeting held at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, where more than $15.7 million in grant funding was awarded to support 700 arts organizations, projects, and artists throughout the state.
The upcoming Center for the Arts season includes more than 150 events, including the Performing Arts Series; Children’s Theatre; Visiting Writers Series; Pollak, DiMattio, and Ice House Galleries; World Cinema Series; and screenings from Metropolitan Opera, National Theatre of London, Bolshoi Ballet and a new HD series Great Art on Screen.
Other unique programs and partnerships include ArtNow, which fuses performance art and technology, and an affiliation with the Grammy Museum, which provides access to research, internships, special projects, events and exhibitions. The Center also contributes programming to the Jewish Culture Program, Hispanic Heritage Month and assists with the Department of Music and Theatre Arts events such as the Shadow Lawn Stage, a professional summer theatre series. See the Center’s 2019-20 new season of events.
According to a news release from the NJSCA, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the arts and culture sector contributes $22.1 billion to New Jersey’s economy, representing 3.8% of the state’s GDP—a larger share than several other industries in the state.
The Council receives funding from the state through the hotel/motel occupancy fee legislation passed in 2003, which established a dedicated revenue source to support arts, history, and tourism. Additionally, the Arts Council receives annual competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Funding decisions are made through a transparent, merit-based, and rigorous grants process that assures access and equity. Independent panels evaluate grant applications to eliminate the possibility of conflict of interest, officials said.
“New Jersey’s creative industries play a key role in our success, from the economy and education to wellness and cross-cultural understanding,” said Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. “The arts provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to engage with one another, and to share ideas and stories that can change lives.”
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