TRENTON, N.J. – Fifteen arts-related organizations were awarded grants totaling over $1.3 million to expand arts and cultural programs and opportunities in New Jersey.

“New Jersey’s stellar arts organizations are central to every element we value most in a modern society. They are committed in their efforts to increase visitation and generate visitor revenues throughout the Garden State and deserve to be recognized,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “We are extremely grateful for the National Endowment for the Art’s continued support and celebration of these exceptional organizations.”

National Endowment for the Arts Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Auricle Communications (Free Music Archive) - $20,000
• coLAB Arts, Inc. - $50,000
• Institute of Music for Children, Inc. - $20,000
• McCarter Theater Company - $30,000
• Music For All Seasons, Inc. - $20,000
• New Jersey Arts Education Partnership - $100,000
• New Jersey State Council on the Arts - $892,500
• Newark Arts Council (aka Newark Arts) - $84,000
• Paper Mill Playhouse - $40,000
• People and Stories Gente y Cuentos Inc. - $20,000
• Perkins Center for the Arts - $15,000
• Sharron’s Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Inc. (aka SMAPA) - $20,000
• Two River Theater Company - $15,000
• Visual Arts Center of New Jersey - $20,000
• William Paterson College of New Jersey - $10,000

“The Council is extremely grateful for the continued support of the National Endowment for the Arts. This funding helps ensure that we are able to support artists, organizations, and communities throughout New Jersey,” said New Jersey State Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. “The impact of this investment cannot be understated. The arts are connecting communities in invaluable ways, and the NEA is a crucial partner in this work.”