Thanks to two grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA), totaling more than $176,000, 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 thrilled to receive continued funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as this funding will allow us to serve 30,000 participants with our high-quality programs and events benefiting Camden and the region’s schools, and to continue our work in the Camden community through our Camden Art Gardens program,” says Noreen Scott Garrity, associate director and curator of education for the RCCA.
The first grant, a $163,500 award for general program support (GPS), 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 RCCA once again received a Citation of Excellence for its GPS grant application. The citation is 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 second grant, a $12,750 award for Arts Education Special Initiative, will continue funding for professional development workshops in the arts for Camden’s teachers and artist residencies at three North Camden schools.
According to Garrity, there were only six awards in this grant category for the entire state of New Jersey.
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 29, the council awarded more than $15.7 million in grants this year to more than 700 arts organizations, projects, and artists throughout the state. Funding decisions are made through a merit-based and rigorous grants process that assures access and equity. Independent peer panels evaluate grant applications to eliminate the possibility for conflict of interest.
For additional information about Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts programs and events, please contact Noreen Scott Garrity at (856) 225-6306.