13 Grants Go To Princeton Artists/Organizations

PRINCETON, NJ — A total of 13 Princeton arts organizations were among 700 statewide that received more than $15.7 million in grant funding, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced during its 51st annual meeting in Trenton.

"Today's awards demonstrate our continued commitment to preserving New Jersey's status as a national leader in public support for the arts," Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno said. "I'm proud of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for all its work in providing and stimulating critically important opportunities in the arts for people of all ages."

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 Arts Council receives annual competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Funding decisions are made through a transparent, 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.

"Every year my colleagues and I marvel at the work these arts organizations and artists are doing in every corner of the state,” Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson said. “New Jersey truly is home to a thriving creative industry that seems to know no bounds."

Last year, Council grantees spent $275 million in New Jersey; employed an estimated 25,000 workers; and attracted nearly 7.5 million patrons who spent an additional $232 million in the state. New Jersey artists and arts organizations produced $1 of local economic activity for every three cents they received from the State Arts Council. The following organizations and artists from Princeton received grants:

• American Boychoir School received a $73,560 General Program Support grant;
• Arts Council of Princeton received a $50,774 General Operating Support grant;
• Chandrasekar, Aisvarya (Indian Carnatic Music) received a $3,000 Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant;
• Li, Jinghua (Huangmei Opera) received a $3,000 Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant;
• McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts received a $626,820 General Operating Support grant;
• Princeton Festival received a $20,900 General Operating Support grant;
• Princeton Girl Choir received a $30,000 General Operating Support grant;
• Princeton Museum received a $30,000 General Operating Support grant;
• Princeton Pro Musica received a $14,647 General Operating Support grant;
• Princeton Symphony Orchestra received a $45,592 General Operating Support grant;
• Young Audiences of New Jersey received a $133,193 General Operating Support grant;
• Young Audiences of New Jersey (Artists in Education) received a $95,000 Co-Sponsored Project grant; and
• Young Audiences Of New Jersey (Connect Conference/Collective) received a $5,000 Co-Sponsored Project grant.

Photo: Flickr Commons