Art Center Awarded Grant for Summit Community Programs

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is proud to announce the receipt of a grant from the Summit Area Public Foundation. The grant of $25,000.00 will support the Art Center's community engagement programs that serve Summit's low-income children and families including: Afterschool Arts Enrichment with the Connection for Women and Children, Afterschool Arts Enrichment with the PEP Program and the Art Immersion and Mentorship Program (AIM). These programs are provided at no cost to participants and for some, it is their only exposure to the arts and their first time visiting a museum or gallery.

An example of one of these successful programs is the Art Immersion and Mentorship Program (AIM), a new program that was created to provide arts enrichment and mentorship for middle school students living in Summit who are unable to participate in programs due to limited financial resources. Scholarships are available to these students for classes, workshops, summer camp and one-on-one mentor sessions with artists.

Thanks to the financial support of organizations like the Summit Area Public Foundation, the Art Center remains dedicated to the Summit community and reaching all Summit residents. The Foundation's investment in these enrichment programs will be critical to each program's success. The Art Center's commitment to its mission, "bringing art and people together," extends to all Summit residents.

The Art Center works closely with other Summit organizations including: SAGE Eldercare, the Connection for Women and Children, the PEP Program, the Junior League of Summit, Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, the Student Partner Alliance, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, the Film Society of Summit and Interweave, partnering with them to present public programs and to make available its facility upon request. In total, the Art Center has eight community engagement programs reaching at-risk inner city youth; seniors; formerly homeless women and their families; developmentally disabled adults and low-income families.

To make a gift to support one of these programs or other community engagement programs that bring art to the underserved, call Cynthia McChesney, Director of Development at 908.273.9121, email cmcchesney@artcenternj.org or visit us online at www.artcenternj.org/programs. To learn more about the Summit Area Public Foundation visit www.sapfnj.org/.

Image: Students participating in the PEP program at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. Credit: Kristin Troia.

About the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

For more than 80 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center's renowned studio school, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors and people with special needs every year.