Westfield Orchestra Scores $55K In Grant Money

WESTFIELD, NJ — More than $50,000 of grant money from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has been given to the New Jersey Festival Orchestra to help fund ongoing activities.

The organization received a state grant totaling $55,000 for "general operating support." Overall, the Council awarded $15.7 million in grants to 700 arts organizations across the state.

"It is an honor to lead a department that invests in the people of New Jersey in such diverse and meaningful ways," said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. "Grants through the State Arts Council have a direct positive impact on New Jersey residents, families and communities. The return on the investment is undeniable, and we are grateful to today's award winners for the important work they do."

According to their website, The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is a premier, fully professional, symphony orchestra led by Music Director David Wroe. Founded in Westfield in 1983, NJ Festival Orchestra has grown to become New Jersey’s second largest professional orchestra, having a presence throughout many cultural communities of New Jersey, and appearing as far afield as Carnegie Hall on a regular basis, the website said.

The arts are an economic driver in the state: 3.8 percent of New Jersey's GDP comes from the arts. 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.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com
Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.