Jersey City has awarded more than $1 million in funding to 78 artists and arts organizations in its third round of grants from the city’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund, Mayor Steve Fulop announced Friday.
The latest funding consists of 44 program grants, 13 arts education grants, 21 general operating grants and 20 individual artist fellowships. To date, nearly 300 Arts and Culture Trust Fund grants have been distributed, totaling $3 million.
The grants, designed to support and nurture local artistic talent, are funded by taxpayers through a annual special tax — 2 cents for every $100,000 in assessed property value — that was approved by voters in the 2020 election.
“The fact that we have allocated over $3 million in less than two years speaks to the fact that the Arts and Culture Trust Fund we implemented in 2020 is working as intended, providing critical funding to support our talented artists and organizations who contribute so much to the vitality and diversity of our city,” Fulop said. “By investing in our vibrant arts community, we are significantly boosting the local economy and community engagement within Jersey City.”
Arts and culture organizations accounted for $13.5 million in spending in 2022, with an additional $32.4 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences, according to the most recent nationwide study by Americans for the Arts.
The study also states that in Jersey City, arts and culture economic activity supported 532 jobs, provided residents $28.2 million in personal income, and generated $7.1 million in tax revenue for local, state, and federal governments, city officials said.
“These grants provide a lifeline for so many of our local artists where little existed before,” said Christine Goodman, director of Jersey City’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “These funds will continue to support arts and culture programs with classes and events across all wards of Jersey City for everyone to enjoy.”
Among the talented individuals and organizations selected for funding are musicians, dancers, filmmakers, and community arts initiatives. As decided by the Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee, each grant recipient demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation, and a commitment to enriching Jersey City’s cultural landscape.
Bruno Nadalin, director of JC Print Room, credits the Arts and Culture Trust Fund grant for providing the means to broaden education initiatives and make printmaking accessible to Jersey City residents.
“Through the grant, we expanded our educational programming by offering free and low-cost workshops and purchased needed equipment and supplies,” he said. ”Grant funds enabled us to hold our direct public benefit of a free printmaking event in Hamilton Park, where residents were invited to make their own prints and tote bags.
“We held similar free events in Greenville and free workshops at our studio, all thanks to the grant funds. The grant was indispensable to the fulfillment of our organization’s mission.”
Here is a list of the 2024 grants:
Program grant awards
Anti Violence Coalition of Hudson County $8,750
Arts and Music at the Church of St. Paul and Incarnation $2,500
Barrow Mansion $2,500
Bridge Art Gallery $14,250
Cantantes in Cordibus $12,316
Church World Service Jersey City $8,750
Con Vivo Music $13,125
Dancing Tony Productions $4,500
Farms in the Heights $14,375
Feminist Bird Club of Jersey City $5,000
Half-Light Productions $17,500
Historic Downtown Special Improvement District $5,850
Hudson County Community College Foundation $13,125
Hudson West Fest Inc $13,125
In Full Color $6,840
Japanese Cultural League of Jersey City $1,000
JC Crafting Circle $9,909
Jersey City Ballet Theater $6,000
Jersey City Police Athletic League (JCPAL) $13,125
John T. Trigonis $13,125
Joshua Lay $2,500
Kenia Rosete Dance $4,375
Laia Cabrera & Co. LLC $13,125
Liberty Science Center $7,000
McGinley Square Special Improvement District $7,500
Meagan Woods $13,125
Mise En Place Project $8,750
Monira Foundation $13,125
New Jersey Symphony $13,125
Next Generation Foundation for Street and Club Dance Culture $4,375
North River Sing $8,750
Sabor Latin Music & Dance $12,637
Saint Peter’s University $6,793
Segunda Quimbamba Folkloric Center $13,125
Shehnaaz Dance Studio $4,375
SocietyX $8,750
The Intertwine Festival $4,152
The Statuary $8,750
TongYan Chinese School $2,500
V Productions and Management (VPM) $8,500
Washington Park Association of Hudson County $2,500
WBGO $4,125
Welcome Home Jersey City $7,500
Whole Spectrum Autism $13,125
Art Education Grant Awards
Amy Wilson $1,000
Area of Refuge $13,125
Aura Highsmith Creative $3,000
Black Sheep Contemporary Ensemble $7,497
Brighter Bee Academy $13,125
City Kidz Playhouse $13,125
Future Art Leaders $6,250
Give Chances $13,125
JC Print Room $17,000
Jersey City Art School $5,500
Music Matters $4,375
NJCU Art Department $13,125
VAMP $5,153
Operating Grant Awards
Ariel Rivka Dance $18,750
Art Fair 14C $25,000
Art House Productions $25,000
Deep Space Gallery $25,000
Educational Arts Team $18,750
Golden Door International Film Festival $9,000
Jersey City Film Group $18,750
Jersey City Theater Center $18,750
Jersey City Writers $18,750
Kennedy Dancers $25,000
MeenMoves $18,750
Nimbus Dance Works $25,000
NonLinear Knitting Studio $18,750
Pro Arts Jersey City $15,000
Riverview Jazz $25,000
Smush Gallery $25,000
Speranza Theatre Company $25,000
Styles House Youth Community Center $18,750
Surati for Performing Arts $25,000
The Curtain $18,750
Victory Hall / Drawing Rooms $25,000
Individual Artist Fellowship Grant Awards
Anthony Williams
Laurie Riccadonna-Lewis
Cheryl R. Riley
Leslie McIntosh
Christine Barney
Michelle Vitale
Donald Gallagher
Milcah Bassel
Elizabeth Deegan
Nancy Cohen
Ernest Paniccioli
Nyugen Smith
Gregg Rosen
Ryan Roman
Hyeseon Hong
Samantha Geracht Myers
Josue Morales Urbina
Sky Kim-Emerick
Laura Tatham
Veronica Mang
