NewJerseyartsblog

ArtPride NJ Response to Star Ledger Editorial

2009-12-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Star Ledger's editorial of December 13, 2009 entitled, "Starving N.J. arts: A sad consequence of our budget crisis" is a callous and ill-considered opinion piece that shamelessly panders to an angry public faced with an economic debacle that was decades in the making. Most notably, The Ledger fails to recognize that state funding for the arts comes not from income, sales or property taxes, but from a dedicated revenue source - a legislatively mandated hotel/motel occupancy fee, derived from taxes generated largely from out-of-state visitors, and which provides $80 million in revenue to the Treasury.

For fifteen years the nonprofit arts industry has been educating our whole State to understand that the arts are not about rich people attending the opera or self absorbed artists feeling entitled. They are about good schools and rescuing children from gangs and drugs. They are about treating our parents and grandparents with the dignity and joy they deserve. They are about rebuilding our cities and towns, improving the business community, and supporting property values. They are about helping people heal including patients in the recovery room and those who suffer multiple sclerosis, autism, mental illness and disabilities of all sorts. They are about retaining jobs, sustaining tourism, giving our residents pride and instilling a unique and attractive character to a state that is over 300 years old and needs now more than ever to secure its future.

New Jersey's non-profit arts community has suffered from the repeated loss of State funds over the past several years-funds that were dedicated from a specific revenue source. This State funding represents about 8% of any arts group's budget, but allows programs to be accessible to our most vulnerable residents-senior citizens, those with reduced income, and students in our most disadvantaged areas.

Arts groups were awarded these funds in July of 2009. Nonprofit arts organizations throughout the state have presented and produced programs for more than four months in reliance upon receiving these grants.

If ever there was a group that knows "creative ways to survive" as suggested in your editorial, it is New Jersey's arts community. They have reduced programming, laid off already lean staffs, reduced their hours and ticket prices, and collaborated effectively with other sectors. Doing more with less is the trademark of an earnest, hardworking and dedicated non-profit arts sector. We have been creative for a long time, but these cuts will kill arts groups all over New Jersey.

The really sad consequences will be the loss of institutions that make us proud and the consequent loss of jobs, income, and economic stimulus that the arts bring to our towns and our State. This funding is a miniscule price to pay for sustaining every important aspect of our civic agenda.

Mark E. Packer
President
ArtPride NJ

An AFTA ArtCast on Princeton's Arts and the Economic Crisis Symposium

2009-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back I wrote a blog post on the Arts and the Economic Crisis Symposium held by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts (“The Arts and Creating Social Change”.) Another wonderful panelist at the event was President and CEO of Americans for the Arts Bob Lynch who recently posted a great ArtCast on Americans for the Arts’ ArtsBlog about the symposium. Take a look!

ArtCast: Princeton Symposium on Arts and the Economic Crisis

Information on the State Funding Freeze

2009-12-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

As most of you are aware the State funding freeze is a source of major concern for arts organizations (as well as many others.) For more information on the freeze and the effects it may have, please read Peggy McGlone’s article in the Star-Ledger, N.J. Arts Groups Fret as State Freezes $10M in Grants. We will follow up with further resources and information as we receive them. Your comments on this article and ongoing support are greatly appreciated!

Current Crisis

2009-12-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

Recognizing the dire condition of State finances, contractually committed funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has been frozen to hundreds of the State’s arts organizations. This will have a catastrophic effect on New Jersey’s arts community.

Arts organizations have made long-standing commitments to artists, vendors, staffs and patrons in reliance upon the expectation that their grant contracts with the State would be honored (by the end of the 2009 calendar year). Money that was imminently to be released by the State to arts groups is now frozen, exacerbating already fragile organizational budgets. Many that operate on a calendar year are not able to meet year end obligations, most notably payroll.

Full disbursement of these contractually committed funds is essential. In some cases, the ongoing viability of venues could well hang in the balance.

The following is a suggested response for members of the field:

1. It is imperative that those groups most affected by the funding freeze communicate with their audiences and with their district legislators. The message is:

We understand that the State of New Jersey is in a financial crisis and that all State grant funds have been frozen to non-profit groups. The commitment of grant funds was made to our organization in July and we have acted in good faith expecting, as in the past, that our grant contract would be honored by the end of the calendar year. The funding freeze has created a financial emergency (here outline specifically what may happen as a result—jobs lost, operations cease, programs cut, vendors not being paid, other financial obligations).

We ask that the Governor unfreeze State funding that will allow our organization to continue operations and stimulate our local economy.

2. This same message may be shared with local press.

Let the Bidding Begin!

2009-12-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

Looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family? Want to help out a cause near to your heart this holiday season? We here at ArtPride have just the thing…

Get your holiday shopping done while supporting the arts in New Jersey! With starting bids as low as $12, the ArtPride NJ Foundation Online Auction Fundraiser is your one-stop shop for gifts for the whole family:

· VIP tickets and backstage passes to your favorite New Jersey arts organizations and events.

· Weekend getaway packages to your favorite New Jersey destinations.

· Autographed items from New Jersey celebrities like Bruce Springsteen, James Gandolfini, Stephen Colbert, Janet Evanovich and more!

Check out the auction at: http://artprideonlineauction.cmarket.com

The auction runs from November 30th – December 11th, so let the bidding begin!

The Arts and Creating Social Change

2009-11-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

As an arts advocate and theatre person, I frequently find myself in conversations where I am asked to explain why the arts are important to fund, to attend, to practice, etc. Saturday at the Arts and the Economic Crisis symposium hosted by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, I had one of those “aha” moments that will forever change the way I answer that question.

The final discussion panel of the evening was moderated by the brilliant Homi K. Bhabha and included renowned theatre, opera and festival coordinator Peter Sellars, Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, and poetry editor for The New Yorker and Princeton professor Paul Muldoon (Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison was unfortunately unable to attend, though her book Burn This Book was read from and her work discussed). What really struck me was that all four men riffed on the idea that the arts are about empathy. It is through theatre, cinema, prose, music, dance and art that we are given a window into the lives of others in any real way. It is only when people are placed in a situation in which, as Paul Muldoon explained, they see what is like to be in another person’s skin and think nothing of themselves, that great art is made—a necessity for civil society.

Philip Seymour Hoffman discredited the idea that the arts (particularly theatre) are escapist. He explained that when he watches a show he must empathize with characters in devastating situations—so much so that he is relieved when the show ends (a feeling I completely understand. I cannot count how many times I have had to sit in my seat for a good 5-10 minutes after a play ended to compose myself.) But this experience is a necessary one and a fulfilling one. These empathetic experiences are the only ways for people to begin to try to understand what is like to live someone else’s life. As all four men agreed, watching tv and reading the news is important, but does not promote understanding between cultures, ethnicities, generations, etc. It only deepens the “us’/‘them’ divide. Philip Seymour Hoffman said it best: “If we’re in a world where the media is just reminding us why to be angry, then we never get to the weeping.”

Part of me has long felt jealous of my parents’ generation—of living in a time of such strong political and social activism. My co-worker and I were discussing voter turn out among people my age and were positing theories as to why it is so low. Even with the recent groundbreaking presidential election, one that received staggering support from young people, the number of young voters was not what it could have been. I think though, that it is not because my generation is apathetic or lazy or self-involved. From what I have seen of my peers it is that many of them choose instead to get in the trenches and enact change themselves (I am not suggesting this should come in place of voting, but there is certainly something to be said for being the change you wish to see in the world.) After college many of my friends chose to do things like apply for Teach for America, work with autistic children, and create arts programs for children with exactly that intention in mind. Perhaps more of us should turn to the arts, like many of our parents did, as a voice for these changes we wish to see.

At the symposium, one panelist concluded that more members of my generation were pursuing careers they felt passionately about because of the downturn in the economy. If you aren’t going to be able to get that job in corporate finance anyway, you may as well do what you love, right? I came out of this conference with a new sense of hope and a reinvigorated passion for the arts. With all the struggle that is going on at this moment, perhaps we should all take a page from Peter Sellars: “It’s a great time to be an artist right now—there’s a lot of subject matter.”

New Governor Christie on Arts, History & Tourism

2009-11-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed it from our numerous pre Election Day postings and alerts, here is candidate Christie's position paper on the arts. If you go to the Art Pride web site, you can also find the podcast from WBGO-FM's guberatorial debate and listen in!

Chris Christie Supports the Arts

Chris Christie believes in the important contribution that the arts make to the uniqueness of our state. He believes in the value of the arts to connect, engage and inspire our citizens. He understands the arts also provide our children with opportunities to create, explore and unleash their own creative abilities… skills that will serve them well in many aspects of their lives. Chris Christie also understands that the arts are one of the places where personal politics should be left behind and the beauty, joy and inspiration of the arts be shared by all of our citizens. The arts in New Jersey not only help unite us, they help define us. This benefit, alone, is reason enough to support the arts in our great state.

But there is much more to the arts. The arts and history are a vibrant economic engine generating more than $2 billion in economic activity and employing more than 80,000 people across the state - making the cultural community one of our largest employers. Cultural events draw millions of patrons not only to our museums and theaters… but to our restaurants, parking lots, and hotels. Beyond the cultural benefit, providing the proper support and infrastructure for a thriving cultural community just makes good business sense.

The arts make good educational sense as well. Arts education helps our children develop the skills needed to be successful in a rapidly changing world. The needs of the 21st century workforce require our students to process creativity and develop an innovative mind. We are educating our children today for industries and businesses that have yet to be invented. In this new environment, creativity and innovation will be as important as the ability to read, write and multiply. Arts education is one of the key ways to unleash the creative capacities in our young people.

Chris Christie believes that Jon Corzine has circumvented the laws requiring the arts to be funded at certain levels. He believes statutory mandates for the funding of the arts should be followed.

Chris Christie, speaking at the WBGO debate in Newark on October 22nd -“The legislature passed a law saying this is to be a dedicated funding stream to the arts, and I think it's a very simple matter - the law should be followed. It should not be circumvented in that regard. We need to comply with the law that the Legislature passed in 2003. And if you've dedicated a portion, as we did, of the hotel motel tax to funding the arts, the arts deserve to be funded in that way. And I will tell you this: you're right about the arts being an economic engine in this state. They absolutely are. We are in the shadow of the NJPAC right here. And we know if you come down here, as my wife and I often do, to see performances, you know what a night at the NJPAC does to this area of the city of Newark, to its economic vitality, to the restaurants, to the bars, to all of the people who vend in this area. It really brings it alive. And the fact is that is what we need to be doing more of, not less of. But all we need to do is follow the law. And the law has been pretty simple and pretty straight forward. That's why Governor Kean spoke out, the chairman of my campaign, spoke out forcefully against the diverting of those funds because it is bad for New Jersey. But also because it isn't in accordance with the law. So I think we just need to say if the state's done it this way and promised to the people of the state that it would be used that way, we should use the money that way and should not divert it. And in a Christie Administration we would not divert it.”

I Support the Arts & I Vote! Candidates on NJ Arts, History & Tourism‏

2009-11-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to vote tomorrow, November 3! Every vote counts and the future of New Jersey is in YOUR hands!

To find out what the NJ gubernatorial and NJ Assembly candidates think about state arts, history and tourism funding visit the ArtPride NJ web site. You will find links to responses to ArtPride's survey (scroll down) and there's even a link to WBGO-FM's podcast of the recent gubernatorial debate. (If you can only listen for a few minutes, move the bar to 35 minutes in for the arts questions).

And don't forget our Keep It Green and Historic Preservation partners and vote YES on Public Question #1 to preserve open space and historic sites. There is more information at the Preservation NJ website.

Questions? Can't access the info? Email us at artpride@artpridenj.com or call 609.479.3377, ext. 307 or ext. 305.

Masterpiece of the Day- October 30, 2009

2009-10-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the final installment of...
Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Sunset in The Grand Canyon on the Road to Supai
By: Gary Marx
Photograph

Masterpiece of the Day- October 29, 2009

2009-10-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Statue of Bethesda

By: Eliana Meira Rantz

Photograph

Masterpiece of the Day- October 28, 2009

2009-10-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Pieta

By: Karin Jervert

Charcoal drawing

Masterpiece of the Day- October 27, 2009

2009-10-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Dot's "Do" Shop
By: Karmaya Lewis
Pastels
karmaya11@hotmail.com

Masterpiece of the Day- October 26, 2009

2009-10-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Without Echo

By: David Foley

Photograph

Masterpiece of the Day- October 23, 2009

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Pastel Patchwork:
Sunflowers in July, Cheetah in Lipstick, and Color Me True
By: Priyanka Chanchani, Samantha Obnial, Joe Randall
Pastels

Gubernatorial Candidates on the Arts - WBGO Debate

2009-10-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

AN ARTISTIC TURN - 8:40 p.m.Christie said the state was circumventing laws requiring arts funding."You're right about the arts being an economic engine in the state," Christie said. "You know what a night at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center does to this area, to the city of Newark.""That's what we need to be doing more of, not less of," he said.

Daggett said the state should triple the budget for tourism promotion."In a bad economy, people turn to the arts," he said.

Corzine said arts funding declined because of "tough choices" in the midst of a recession. "You can't do that without some tough outcomes. I care more about making certain we fund our food banks, that we have legal services for those that are in foreclosure," he said. "Not because we don't support the arts, but because we have to make tough choices."

AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Masterpiece of the Day- October 22, 2009

2009-10-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Ocean City
By: Sandra Lubrano
Photograph

Masterpiece of the Day- October 21, 2009

2009-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Germ #6

By: Beck Klausman

Photograph

http://beckklausman.com

Masterpiece of the Day- October 20, 2009

2009-10-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Recline I

By: Daniel Sroka

Abstract macro photograph of a fallen leaf

http://danielsroka.com/

Masterpiece of the Day- October 19, 2009

2009-10-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Fly

By: Sherry Rubel

Photograph

This photograph was taken during Crossroads Theatre Company's production of Fly. For more information on their organization please visit: http://crossroadstheatrecompany.org/

Masterpiece of the Day- October 16, 2009

2009-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Singin' in the Rain
By: Rich Kowalski
Photograph (picturing actor Dan Higgins)

This photograph was taken during Plays in the Park's production of Singin' in the Rain. For more information on their organization please visit: www.playsinthepark.com

Masterpiece of the Day- October 15, 2009

2009-10-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Korean Sunset...

By: Mike McDonald

Photograph

Masterpiece of the Day- October 14, 2009

2009-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

The Deposition

From Laura Elkins' HOMEwRAP series addressing abuse of power

By: Laura Elkins

Installation at iscp Gallery, Brooklyn, 2008
Acrylic on tyvek, polyfil and shredded documents-size varies

http://www.lauraelkinsartist.com/

Laura also let me know that there is an event this weekend in Washington, D.C. featuring her work:

On October 17, The Deposition will be featured during Head Cinema -- Sleep, Dreams and Reality, a collaboration and simulcast between Art Outlet in Washington, DC and Der Kunstladen (The Art Shop) in Mannheim, Germany. If you are in DC that weekend, Head Cinema is from 2 - 4pm at the Capitol Skyline Hotel. Come by and let the Inspector Depose Your Dreams.
http://artoutlet.org/news/events/head-cinema

Masterpiece of the Day- October 13, 2009

2009-10-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Epiphany or Collapse
By: Megan Chapman (copyright 2009)
Mixed media on canvas
www.meganchapman.com
This piece (24x30") is for sale for $725

Masterpiece of the Day- October 12, 2009

2009-10-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Schoolyard Serenade

Photograph of teachers Joseph Ramalho (trumpet) and Douglas Laustsen (trombone) at the Academy of Performing Arts at School 6 in Paterson, NJ.

Masterpiece of the Day- October 9, 2009

2009-10-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Digital Office Wall

Natural Beauty
By: Amy Pospiech
Setup and rendering of a still life around a theme, in pencil.
www.amypospiech.com