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For Immediate Release
November 7, 2008
Media Contact
- Allison Tratner
- 609.292.4524
- allison@arts.sos.state.nj.us
New Jersey State Council on the Arts Holds Board Retreat and Meeting
Hears National Perspective on Assisting Arts Groups Facing Financial Challenges
Takes Virtual Tour of Historical Newark
(Trenton, NJ) The board members of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts convened yesterday at The Newark Museum for their annual retreat which included a facilitated discussion led by Angela Han, Director of Research for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, on how state arts agencies assist arts organizations facing fiscal challenges. The full program also included a virtual tour of the cultural and historical landmarks in Newark, guided by Liz Del Tufo, chair of the Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission. The Council was joined on the tour by Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, Hector Ortiz, director of the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Linwood Ogelsby, the executive director of the Newark Arts Council. The day concluded with a Council business meeting at which the Council's chair and executive director provided an update on agency activities since the Council's annual meeting in July.
“Newark is home to some of the most extraordinary artists and arts organizations in the state and in the country,” said Arts Council Chair Carol Herbert. “This city continues to develop as a rich and dynamic cultural hub for tourists and residents and we are pleased to hold our retreat and meeting here today.” According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity study released last year by American’s for the Arts, the nonprofit arts industry in Newark has an economic impact of $177 million annually, and helps to create more than 4,600 full-time equivalent jobs. In addition to increasing the city’s bottom line, the arts and culture are proven tools for building community, strengthening education, bolstering tourism, attracting business and investment, and more.
“The current economic climate poses some potential challenges to financial stability for the nonprofit cultural community,” said Arts Council Executive Director Steve Runk. ”In these challenging fiscal times it’s as crucial as ever that we maintain a proactive approach to keeping our state’s arts organizations thriving and providing all the benefits the arts offer to us as individuals and communities.”
The State Arts Council has an active program through which to address the financial challenges faced by grantee organizations on an on-going basis. The afternoon conversation with Ms. Han helped the Council members to gain a broader understanding of the methods used by other state arts agencies around the country to ensure that they are as informed as they can be in addressing the issues in New Jersey. “As a Council we affirmed our philosophy that we should be a reliable funding partner and to do all we can to help keep our state’s cultural assets through financial difficulties as best we are able,” noted Herbert.
The Arts Council is among six New Jersey service organizations presenting a free, day-long conference on November 13th in New Brunswick called NJ Arts at a Crossroad: Finding Creative Solutions in Tough Economic Times. Staff and trustees of New Jersey arts organizations of all sizes are encouraged to attend to discuss strategies and develop tools for coping with a volatile economy including contingency budgeting and innovative ways to collaborate and share resources to plan for success.
Photographs Available
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