3 Bridgewater Organizations Awarded $23K In Arts, History Grants

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Three Bridgewater Township organizations were among 27 to be awarded a total of $283,450 in 2026 by Somerset County through the County History Partnership Program and Local Arts Program.

The funding was made possible by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, with the Local Arts Program funded through a partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the County History Partnership Program funded through a partnership with the New Jersey Historical Commission.

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According to the county, the two programs provide grant funding to local art and history organizations for special projects, educational programming, and community events.

Eighteen local organizations were awarded funding through the Local Arts Program, while nine organizations received support through the County History Partnership Program.

Among the organizations were three in Bridgewater Township:

• Center for Cultural & Creative Exchange in Bridgewater received $5,700 to support the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, a traditional Chinese folk celebration bringing Chinese traditions to Somerset County residents
• Heritage Trail Association, Bridgewater, received $11,500 to assist with core operations and support annual Revolutionary War-themed public programming.
• Somerset County Historical Society, Bridgewater, received $6,300 to assist with core operations and support ongoing educational and recreational programming.

All grants were awarded by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners.

"Since 2022, our grant programs have funded over $1.3 million to support the organizations that keep history alive and our art scene thriving in Somerset County," said Commissioner Melonie Marano, liaison to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. "These grants keep the doors open at the County’s cultural and historic sites and help to pay for operating expenses, public events, and the development of new projects."

For the full list of re-grantees for 2026:

• LAP Re-grantees –somersetcountynj.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65482/639122926831830000
• CHPP Re-grantees – somersetcountynj.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65480/639122926828970000

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is the official agency designated in the county to apply for, receive, and administer the Local Arts Program Grant and the County History Partnership Program. The grant applications are approved through an independent panel of peers who evaluate and provide recommendations for the allocation of funding.

For more information, call 908-231-7021 or email CulturalHeritage@somersetcountynj.gov.

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