NJEDA Awards $15M in Grants to Support 39 Organizations Under A.R.T. Phase II

The program supports the revitalization of commercial corridors by community-focused arts and cultural organizations

TRENTON, N.J. (December 4, 2025) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has approved $15 million in grant awards to 39 organizations under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) program. First piloted in Newark and Atlantic City, these awards mark the first announcement since A.R.T. was expanded to include 31 municipalities across New Jersey.

“The A.R.T. program delivers essential grant funding to local arts and cultural organizations for initiatives that boost foot traffic, support small business growth, and strengthen the economic resiliency of municipalities most impacted by the pandemic,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is continuing to make significant investments in our downtowns and main streets. These A.R.T. awards will help communities across the state activate public spaces, host events, and advance arts-based initiatives that promote long-term growth and vibrancy.”

The A.R.T. Phase II program aims to catalyze community placemaking efforts by leveraging New Jersey’s arts and cultural sector as a creative force for change, and by supporting non-profit organizations focused on public art installations and arts-based initiatives. Funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), A.R.T. Phase II replicates the first phase of the program, which focused on Atlantic City and Newark, by expanding eligibility to municipalities throughout the state.

“Today marks a major milestone in the NJEDA’s mission to bolster the arts and culture sector, which boasts a rich legacy in New Jersey and serves as an economic powerhouse for local communities across the state,” said NJEDA Chief Community Development Officer Tai Cooper. “The funding announced today continues Governor Murphy’s efforts to leverage the sector as a creative force for change, supporting a range of non-profit organizations that are focused on revitalizing their communities through the wholistic impact of the arts. I appreciate the work of Barbara Bickart, NJEDA Senior Advisor for Arts & Culture, for spearheading this effort and her advocacy for this vital sector, ensuring it has the tools needed to drive their organizations forward and cultivate economic prosperity, while improving the quality of life for all New Jerseyans.”

“The State Arts Council is proud to help connect the NJEDA with New Jersey’s nonprofit arts community for these exciting funding opportunities,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “Not only do arts nonprofits contribute to the state’s overall economy and employ tens of thousands of people, they also serve as vital anchors in their communities. These significant A.R.T. grants come at a crucial time for the sector, supporting stability – and that means these organizations are better positioned to successfully deliver both economic and social benefits to individuals and families across New Jersey.”

The following organizations were awarded funding under A.R.T. Phase II:

1. Art House Productions (Jersey City, Hudson County): $500,000
2. Arts Council of the Morris Area (Dover, Morris County): $500,000
3. Arts Guild New Jersey, Inc. (Burlington, Burlington County): $500,000
4. Camden FireWorks Incorporated (Camden, Camden County): $457,800
5. Center for Modern Dance Education (Hackensack, Bergen County): $387,405
6. coLAB Arts, Inc. (New Brunswick, Middlesex County): $500,000
7. Educational Arts Team, Inc. (Jersey City, Hudson County): $220,068.30
8. Frontline Arts (Perth Amboy, Middlesex County): $256,506.93
9. George Street Playhouse, Inc. (New Brunswick, Middlesex County): $500,000
10. Grand Artistry Inspires (Plainfield, Union County): $500,000
11. Hackensack Performing Arts Center, Inc. (Hackensack, Bergen County): $500,000
12. Healthy People Worldwide (Perth Amboy, Middlesex County): $500,000
13. James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts (Trenton, Mercer County): $475,475
14. Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (Jersey City, Hudson County): $350,000
15. Jump for Joi (Jersey City, Hudson County): $307,000
16. Literature to Life, Inc. (Paterson, Passaic County): $103,912.50
17. Luna Stage Company, Inc. (Orange, Essex County): $303,179.71
18. Monmouth County Arts Council, Inc. (Long Branch, Monmouth County): $290,780
19. Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center (Dunellen, Middlesex County): $500,000
20. New Jersey Ballet Company, Inc. (Rahway, Union County): $225,000
21. New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. (Trenton, Mercer County): $242,777
22. New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch, Monmouth County): $500,000
23. New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Jersey City, Hudson County): $500,000
24. Nimbus Dance Works, Inc. (Jersey City, Hudson County): $500,000
25. Riverview Jazz Org (Jersey City, Hudson County): $500,000
26. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (New Brunswick, Middlesex County): $500,000
27. Symphony in C (Camden, Camden County): $451,591
28. Teen Arts (Asbury Park, Monmouth County): $298,829.50
29. The Actors Studio of New Jersey (Dunellen, Middlesex County): $382,896.88
30. The American Graffiti Museum, Inc. (Trenton, Mercer County): $210,161
31. The Passage Theatre Company (Trenton, Mercer County): $500,000
32. The Princeton Ballet Society (New Brunswick, Middlesex County): $129,300
33. The State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick, Inc. (New Brunswick, Middlesex County): $102,000
34. The Wharton Institute for Performing Arts, Inc. (Rahway, Union County): $185,454
35. The Wooden Walls Mural Project (Asbury Park, Monmouth County): $500,000
36. Trenton Community A-Team, Inc. (Trenton, Mercer County): $408,717
37. Union County Arts Center, Inc. (Rahway, Union County): $497,500
38. University of Orange (Orange, Essex County): $499,354.76
39. Word Seed, Inc. (Paterson, Passaic County): $266,540

The A.R.T. Phase II program adds to the NJEDA’s robust toolkit of existing programs meant to expand access to arts and culture, which includes the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program, which provides tax credits to incentivize broad scale capital projects for arts and cultural venues in New Jersey. The first awards under the CAFE Program were announced in November 2025.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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