New Jersey State Council on the Arts to Visit Summit

The will host the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for its quarterly business meeting and annual Artists’ Roundtable workshops on Thursday, February 2. Many people are unaware of the large role the Arts Council plays in bringing the arts to communities across the State. So I decided to a pose several questions to Don Ehman, the Council’s Program Officer for Artists Services, to find out more.

Q1: Can you tell me a little about the Arts Council?

The State Arts Council is an agency of New Jersey State Government, established in 1966, housed in the Department of State. The Council board is made up of Governor-appointed volunteers who work along with the Council staff to meet a bold mission: to improve the quality of life in New Jersey by helping the arts to flourish. To meet this mission the Council offers a wide variety of programs and services that reach into nearly every community statewide including more than 800 grants to artists, schools and nonprofit organizations.

All of this work is funded by direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Q2: What role do you play on the Council?

As the Program Officer for Artists’ Services, my role is to listen to the needs of New Jersey artists and provide them with information and resources that may help them improve their craft, connect with other artists and maximize their careers.  Providing responsive services to New Jersey artists is one of the Council’s highest priorities.

Q3: How does the Council’s work benefit working artists?

The Council supports artists in several important ways, through a wide array of programs and services that recognizes, encourages and showcases their talents. In turn, such recognition brings their work to the attention of organizations and communities everywhere to embrace and support this remarkable "creative capital" that helps make New Jersey great.

Council programs for artists include exhibition and showcase opportunities, grant awards, technical assistance, a visual arts registry, professional development in all disciplines, services for artists with disabilities, and help connecting with critical legal and health insurance services.

Q4: What can artists expect to gain from the Artists’ Roundtable on February 2nd?

The event will feature workshops on topics of interest to artists working in all disciplines including  marketing and publicity strategies, professional opportunities, and creative solutions for finding work, exhibition and performance space statewide. The ideas for these workshops came directly from feedback the Council gained from artists over the past year and considering registration for the event has already reached capacity, it seems we hit the mark.

Q5: What’s up next for the Arts Council?

Looking to the future the Council is prepared to continue its focused, strategic and passionate efforts to increase the quality of life in New Jersey through support of the arts industry. While it’s true that times are still tough for many in the field, the arts community in New Jersey is holding impressively strong and amazing things are happening in the arts in every corner of the state. Research has shown that in addition to helping us stay in touch with our humanity, creativity and imagination, the arts are a proven tool for community development and can be the powerful engine that drives the kind of sustainable economic growth New Jersey communities need.

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We appreciate your insights into the workings of the Arts Council, Don. Anyone interested in learning more about the Council and the programs tailored specifically for New Jersey artists should visit the Council website: www.njartscouncil.org.

The Council’s business meeting will be held from 1:00pm-2:45pm on February 2 and is open to the public. The Artists’ Roundtable will follow from 3:00pm-5:30 pm.