Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will allocate an additional $15 million into Phase II of a program that aims to make impactful efforts in public corridors (think the arts and culture) in an effort to encourage more workers to return to city centers.
The Activation, Revitalization and Transformation, or A.R.T., program began as a pilot project in Newark and Atlantic City. Phase II of the program will add 31 municipalities in 12 counties to the program (full list at the bottom of the story).
The program, which will award grants from $100,000 to $500,000, will begin to accept applications later this summer. The first virtual session will be held at 11 a.m. June 18. Click here to register for the webinar.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(19) status are eligible to apply. Projects eligible for funding include placemaking projects, public art installations, arts-based projects, art exhibitions, performances, festivals, parades, concerts or concert series, film and video screenings, and cultural programming. Projects must take place within 1.5 miles of an eligible municipality’s passenger rail station.
EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said 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 supporting nonprofit organizations focused on creating placemaking projects, public art installations and arts-based activities and initiatives.
“Piloted in Newark and Atlantic City, the A.R.T program provides necessary grant funding to local arts and cultural organizations for initiatives that increase foot traffic, spur small business growth, and ensure the economic resiliency of municipalities most impacted by the pandemic,” he said.
“Under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey continues to make major investments in our downtowns and main streets. Through the A.R.T expansion, neighborhoods and communities across the state will be able to access funding to support activations and events that promote their long-term growth and success.”
Municipalities eligible for grants:
- Asbury Park;
- Bayonne;
- Belleville;
- Burlington City;
- Camden;
- Clifton;
- Dover;
- Dunellen;
- East Orange;
- Egg Harbor City;
- Elizabeth;
- Garfield;
- Hackensack;
- Hammonton;
- Jersey City;
- Linden;
- Lindenwold;
- Long Branch;
- Netcong;
- New Brunswick;
- North Bergen;
- Orange;
- Passaic;
- Paterson;
- Pennsauken;
- Perth Amboy;
- Plainfield;
- Rahway;
- Riverside;
- Trenton;
- Union City.
