SOPAC Wins First State Council on the Arts Grant

At its annual meeting Tuesday, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts approved $15.7 million in grants to 208 museums, orchestras, dance troupes and arts centers, including a number from Essex County, NJ.com reported. 

Most of the organizations winning grants were on the list for 2012, but a major new grant recipient is  the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) which was awarded $30,000.

“The imprimatur of Arts Council funding is akin to receiving the good housekeeping seal of approval, which helps non-profit organizations leverage additional public and private support,” said Mark Packer, Executive Director of SOPAC in a press release. “I am elated by this enormous vote of confidence by the Council and their recognition of SOPAC’s importance to our community and to the region. This grant is a critical step in SOPAC’s efforts to achieve financial stability and growth.”

Tony Leitner, chairman of the SOPAC Board of Governors, said, “I am gratified that the Arts Council has made a grant to SOPAC this year.  I want to thank Mark Packer and the SOPAC staff for their diligent work and effort to prove that our programs and vision are worth the Council’s endorsement and support. I particularly want to thank Village President Torpey and the South Orange Trustees. We would not have been successful without their support to restructure our balance sheet.”

The largest grants went to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra ($1,116,779), NJPAC ($1,065,433) and the Newark Museum ($1,000,000). The Newark Museum also receieved a $1 million line item in the state budget. The two awards double the council's support from last year.

The council also welcomed a new member: Gary Blackman, co-founder and producer of ArtsPower National Touring Theatre in Verona.