Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts Receives Two New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grants

Thanks to two grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts totaling more than $182,000, the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts (RCCA) will continue to serve as a hub of award-winning performances, exhibitions, education programs, and community projects in the South Jersey region.

“The Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts is very pleased for the recognition from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and for its generous and ongoing support to continue serving Camden in so many ways,” says Cyril Reade, director of the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts.

The first grant, a $163,500 award for general program support, will assist the RCCA in its mission of offering programs and events that inspire a full appreciation and enjoyment of the arts, create meaningful opportunities to participate in the arts, advance the central role of the arts in pre K-12 education, and increase awareness of the arts as essential to cultural, economic, and community vitality.

The second grant is an $18,750 Arts Education Special Initiative award, one of only eight given in this category statewide. The grant will support expanded activities between the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts and Camden schools through the Artist and Writer’s Voice Program, providing teaching artist residencies for 475 students annually, professional development workshops for teachers, and access to original works of art.

The RCCA received a Citation of Excellence for its Arts Education Special Initiative grant application and was designated a Major Service Organization. These citations are bestowed to New Jersey arts organizations, programs, and projects that receive the highest possible assessment of their grant applications, as judged by an independent panel of peers.

The council receives funding from the state of New Jersey through the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee legislation passed in 2003, which established a dedicated revenue source to support arts, history and tourism. Additionally, the council receives annual competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Announced on July 21, the council awarded more than $15.7 million in grants this year to more than 700 arts organizations, projects, and artists throughout the state.

For more information about Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts programs and events, contact Noreen Scott Garrity at (856) 225-6306.

Tom McLaughlin
Rutgers University–Camden
Editorial/Media Specialist
(856) 225-6545
thomas.mclaughlin@camden.rutgers.edu