“The continued creativity of our state’s artist community never ceases to amaze me,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Council in her capacity as Secretary of State. “Artists bring together communities, provoking emotion and thought, and impacting our everyday lives.”

 Speaking to the significance of direct funding for artists, Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson said, “Artists are at the heart of everything we do – not only as an agency, but as an industry. Just as arts organizations are always in need of operating funds, these awards allow artists more freedom and flexibility to focus on creating and sharing their work.”

About the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

The New Jersey State Council on Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society, including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity.