Stockton Using Grant to Help Produce State of the Arts TV Program

will use a recently acquired grant to help produce an award-winning public television program, the college announced on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

Stockton recently received a $200,000 grant from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts (NJSCA). It will use that grant money to help produce State of the Arts, an award-winning public television program, the college said in a release. The college will be partnering with PCK Media, the producer of the show for NJN Public TV and Radio for more than 10 years.

It currently airs on NJTV Public Media TV.

This year will mark both the 30th anniversary of the television program and the 40th anniversary of the school, which will kick off that celebration Sept. 21.

“As Stockton has long advanced and supported the arts in New Jersey, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the award-winning State of the Arts, Stockton Provost and Executive Vice President Harvey Kesselman said.  “Public television plays a critical role, exposing the arts and artists to a wider audience, especially during challenging economic times."

“Stockton College is a perfect fit for PCK Media’s production partner,” said Susan Wallner, a long-time series producer along with Christopher Benincasa and Eric Schultz. “State of the Arts is going to grow in positive new directions because of Stockton’s enterprising spirit. Arts, culture and new media initiatives are all central to the school, making it one of the most energized and connected campuses in the state.”

The show will celebrate its anniversary this year with a new look and format, as an in-depth documentary feature about an important artist or event will anchor each half hour show.

“We are delighted to bring new episodes of the series to NJTV viewers,” said John Servidio, Interim General Manager of NJTV.  “New Jersey is home to a diverse arts and culture scene, and it has always been our goal to tap into those communities and to tell their stories.  We look forward to partnering with Stockton College and PCK Media to accomplish this and much more.”

The series will debut for the season on an October date to be announced, and a new day and time for the show has yet to be announced.

Two Stockton professors will serve on the show's advisory board. Robert Gregg, Professor of History and Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, and Wendel White, Distinguished Professor of Art, will serve, and many students at the college, including communications studies, visual and performing arts, history and education, will have the opportunity to earn internships in production and research with PCK, among other opportunities.

The announcement comes after the college briefly considered the idea of taking over NJN earlier this year before