Voices From the Field

The mission of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance is that it “connects, empowers, and advocates for artists, communities, and organizations to promote engagement and investment in arts and history in our region.” As Julie Hain, Executive Director of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, states, “South Jersey is unique and we want to be recognized and celebrated for our uniqueness.” It is that belief...

Emanating passion, it is hard to ignore the exuberance of the Jersey City Theater Center matriarch, Olga Levina. I had the pleasure of speaking with her for just under an hour and in that time, I became enamored with the ardor and dedication which Levina brings to her work. Admittedly, she brought me to tears a number of times as I listened to her speak of her purpose with an intensity beholden to...

The United States recognizes eleven federal holidays, the most recent of which is Juneteenth. The name is a contraction of “June Nineteenth,” commemorating the milestone juncture in which federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation which had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln a full two years prior. The harsh reality of history proves...

As we exit the all-too-short Teacher Appreciation Week, it is only fitting that we continue to honor educators by highlighting the work of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Arts Education Department. In collaboration with Rutgers University-Newark, NJPAC is introducing the new “Teaching Artist Certificate Program.” Marking the first of its kind, thanks to the novel collaboration between a...

Once every year, New Jersey arts advocates collectively descend upon Washington D.C, barring those dark times of the pandemic that so many of us try to forget, in order to educate their representatives on the value of the arts. This year’s Arts Advocacy Day took place on March 21, 2024 wherein arts organizations across the state advocated for continued federal funding and legislation in support of...

“Speranza” means “hope” and whether or not you were prepared for an Italian lesson today, you’ve gotten one! The Italian word was adopted as the name and calling card for Speranza Theatre when a group of young New School for Drama graduate students were looking to name their newly minted theatre collaboration. In search of a word carrying meaning, that rolled off the tongue, some Italian words...

Casey Mathern, Ben Jones, and Midori Yoshimoto, during the reception of the Universe of Ben Jones exhibition at the William Paterson University Galleries, September 2023. Photo: Andy Liu. Ben Jones in his studio, Jersey City, NJ, February 2023. Photo: Manuel Acevedo. “I dedicate this catalogue to my grandfather Frank Curtis, who was a working-class Black Man born in Charleston, South Carolina, in...

In a journey that started in 1995, Ann Marie Miller, Former Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, has been a longtime advocate for New Jersey’s arts and culture community. She’s accomplished a multitude of milestones, big and small, throughout her career. We asked her to share some of her most memorable moments with ArtPride New Jersey, as she looks forward to retirement. Retirement…rewirement...

Students participating in the “Piano Bus” program led by Keys 2 Success, General Operating Support grantee through the Creative Catalyst Fund (Image courtesy of Keys 2 Success) In the spring of 2020, artists and cultural institutions across the country were unsure of their future. Recognizing that Newark’s artists and cultural organizations are critical to making the city vibrant and healthy...

NJ Thespians annually holds an essay competition, DemocracyWorks, in partnership with ArtPride New Jersey, in which high school students who are members of the International Thespian Society are invited to write an essay describing the importance of advocating for theatre education and arts education to elected officials. It is also an opportunity for students to convey their personal stories of...