Rally for the Arts Results in $500K for Bergen County

The rallying cry from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's ArtsBergen and the arts community to Bergen County's Board of Commissioners and County Executive James Tedesco III resulted in increased funding for the arts. The Bergen County Board of Commissioners allocated $500,000 for the arts from the $261 million American Rescue Plan (ARP).

During the NNJCF's ArtsBergen 5% spring campaign for the arts, the arts community in the county was urged to show their support for the value of the arts and their essential role in Bergen County’s COVID-19 recovery. Arts organizations, artists, and patrons of the arts contacted the County Executive and the County Commissioners and attended the Commissioners' meeting on April 20 to show their support.

The arts in Bergen County have long been underfunded. In the spring, the NNJCF's ArtsBergen submitted a formal letter to the County Executive and the County Commissioners, with feedback from the local arts community. The letter proposed 5% of ARP funds be used for a significant grant program supporting arts organizations/artists, creation of a Destination Marketing Organization, and creative placemaking and public art events.

Bergen County aims to distribute information about the new grant program in early September. The County estimates the earliest access to an online application portal will be October 6. In the interim, they reported arts organizations and others considered businesses may be eligible for the rescue program run by its Economic Development office. For more information, visit the Bergen County ARP site.

The ARP funds provide an opportunity to 'build back better', while positively impacting local jobs, the economy, and the community. "Rallying together, we elevated the arts, as an effective and vital sector boosting local economies, aiding in good mental health, and building back the community. Although we did not receive the full 5% allocation requested, ArtsBergen is encouraged. A large number of members from the arts came together, and they were heard," said Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

Prioritizing the arts through a $500K grant program to benefit both individual artists and non-profit arts organizations is a big accomplishment. We believe the arts community's strong advocacy showed to our governing officials the importance and value of the arts to the economy, vibrancy, and well-being of Bergen County.”

For further information about the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation or ArtsBergen, contact artsbergen@nnjcf.org or call 201-568-5608.