Toms River Applies For $1M Art Grant

Mayor Tom Kelaher applies for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge grant on behalf of Toms River Township. Bill Golkiewicz, Jeremy Grunin, Yvonne Yaar and Marshall Kern are on the grant committee. (Photo credit: Debbi Winogracki)

By Chris Lundy

The township applied for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge proposal, which could bring in up to $1 million to support art installations in downtown Toms River.

If successful, the proposal would bring 6 to 8 temporary installations, with at least 2 focused on climate change. Additionally, area artists would have the opportunity to take master classes and have their work reviewed by a jury. Their work could be showcased alongside the art exhibitions. The jury would be led by sculptor Brian Hanlon, photographer and director Danny Clinch, and glass sculptor Yvonne Yaar, all of whom were either born or currently live in Toms River.

The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation has pledged to match the Bloomberg Philanthropies grant, up to $1 million.

“The Bloomberg Public Art Challenge has allowed our residents and organizations to work towards a key goal of my administration- to re-invent Downtown Toms River through the arts and culture making it the Jersey Shore’s premier destination,” Mayor Kelaher said in a press release. “The good will and strong collaboration among all stakeholders in this project has been one of the most successful unification projects of my career.”

Jeremy Grunin, Executive Director of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation stated, “Our Foundation is focused on elevating the arts in Toms River because an engaged, creative community directly impacts economic development. It makes for a more appealing place to visit, work, live and get involved in. Our $1 million pledge will accelerate Toms River’s efforts to maximize Bloomberg Philanthropies’ opportunity.”

Bill Golkiewicz, Executive Director of the Toms River Business Improvement District said, “The Grunin’s $1 million and Toms River residents’ donations will be used to leverage the $1,000,000 Bloomberg award, to develop a comprehensive art community, including the temporary art installations, an artist incubator hub, and the new TR Gallery, workshops, culinary arts space, classrooms, and a sustainable arts-to-business studio. Downtown Toms River will become a destination in its own right.”

Locations for the artwork will include the Ocean County Library, Huddy Park, and other municipal, county land and schools. These areas will be made available for sculpture, gallery space and the performing arts. Supporting hosts of the exhibitions and master classes include Ocean County College, The Pine Belt Arena, and Community Medical Center.

Finalists for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge will be selected and asked to submit a full proposal in February 2015.

The partnership between public and private agencies working for this goal include the Township of Toms River, Toms River Business Improvement District, Toms River Artist’s Community, Ocean County Library-Toms River Branch, The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, Ocean County College, Community Medical Center, Ocean County Business Development and Tourism, Ocean County Culture and Heritage, residents and non-profit organizations.

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