Monmouth University Center for the Arts has been awarded a grant of $136,480 from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) in support of its mission to provide high-quality arts programming and cultural experiences to the community. The awards were announced on July 29 at the Council’s 58th annual meeting in Trenton, where more than $30 million in grant funding was awarded to support approximately 900 arts organizations, projects, and artists throughout the state.
“We are incredibly grateful to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for this generous grant,” said Vaune Peck, director of Monmouth University Center for the Arts. “This funding will enable us to continue offering diverse and engaging programs that enrich our community and provide unique cultural experiences. It is a testament to the importance of the arts in fostering education, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding.”
The support will bolster the Center’s efforts to present a wide range of artistic and cultural events, including performances, exhibitions, and educational programs. Peck said the grant is especially valuable as it provides flexible, multiyear operational support, allowing the Center to plan and execute its programs more effectively.
“The investment made by the State Council in organizations like ours not only benefits our immediate community but also contributes to the broader cultural landscape of New Jersey,” added Kelly Barratt, assistant director of Monmouth University Center for the Arts. “We are excited to use this funding to further our mission and continue serving as a cultural hub for Monmouth County and beyond.”
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 and Great Art on Screen.
The NJSCA funding, derived from the State’s Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee, underscores the vital role of the arts in enhancing the quality of life and promoting economic growth across New Jersey.
“The investment made in our state’s artists and organizations has a direct, positive impact on New Jersey residents, families, businesses, and communities,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Council in her role as Secretary of State. “It’s an honor to work closely with the Council to help our state’s creative industries thrive, and to ensure New Jersey’s diverse constituencies can access the many benefits of the arts.”
The NJSCA, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov. For more about the Center for the Arts, contact Kelly Barratt at kbarratt@monmouth.edu or (732) 263-5114.