Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Office of Cultural Affairs, along with the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee, announced the recipients of the fourth round of Arts and Culture Trust Fund (JCACTF) grants, awarding over $1 million to 112 artists, organizations and arts education initiatives across Jersey City.
By helping Jersey City artists and cultural organizations continue to thrive, these critical investments fulfill the Fulop Administration’s initial goals when the state’s first Arts and Culture Trust Fund was launched in 2020.
“This round of grant funding not only marks our largest to date, but it also builds on our promise to prioritize equity, opportunity and cultural vitality citywide,” said Mayor Fulop. “In just five years, we’ve awarded nearly 400 grants worth over $4 million to support Jersey City artists and arts organizations.”
According to a nationwide study by Americans for the Arts, Jersey City’s arts and culture sector generated $46 million in economic activity in 2022, supported more than 530 jobs and brought in $7 million in tax revenues. The findings from the latest study reinforce Mayor Fulop’s success in positioning Jersey City as a destination for arts and culture.
“Every year, we see how these grants open doors for transformative projects and lifelong learning opportunities,” said Christine Goodman, director of Cultural Affairs. “Our artists inspire, challenge and connect us. Investing in them is investing in the future of Jersey City.”
Following a thorough application review process by an independent review panel, 112 grants are being awarded, totaling more than $1.1 million in four categories:
- Programming – 56 grants totaling $436,781
- Arts Education – 15 grants totaling $124,838
- Operating – 21 grants totaling $455,850
- Fellowship – 20 grants totaling $100,000
Jersey City artist Brian W. Fraser is one of the latest program grant recipients. “Receiving this grant affirms the importance of community-centered storytelling in Jersey City,” he said. “Through ‘Area of Refuge,’ we’re creating space for residents to document their neighborhoods, histories and daily lives amid rapid change. This support allows us to deepen that work and ensure more voices are seen and heard.”
As president of the Jersey City Arts Council, Amy Elise de Jong said applications came in from all six wards representing artists of many disciplines. “The caliber of the work samples, demonstrations of community impact and engagement and creative ideas for direct public benefits were inspiring,” she noted. “We congratulate the 20 artists receiving the Individual Artist Fellowship grants from the Arts and Culture Trust Fund. We look forward to seeing and supporting their work in the coming year.”
Since launching the state’s first Arts and Culture Trust Fund with overwhelming voter support, it continues to deliver meaningful support through four distinct grant categories to uplift creative programming, education, individual artists and operational capacity for nonprofit cultural institutions.
“The JCACTF grant program provides critical funding for local artists, arts organizations and nonprofits. A focus of the program this year was offering training across all wards,” said Elizabeth Phillips Lorenzo, chair of the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee. “The goal is to ensure that artists and organizations have the resources they need to thrive, which enriches the local cultural landscape and attracts broader funding opportunities.”
Recognizing the diverse needs of the community, this year’s application process prioritized accessibility by ensuring every eligible artist and organization had the tools to apply, such as:
- Prerecorded tutorials and step-by-step webinars
- In-person and virtual info sessions across all city wards
- Free computer access and extended time at Jersey City Free Public Library branches
- Applications and resources available in multiple languages
- Captioned videos and ASL-interpreted training sessions
Among the grant recipients are local musicians, visual artists, dance companies, youth-focused nonprofits and cultural institutions spanning every neighborhood. Individual artists received unrestricted fellowship grants — administered in partnership with the Jersey City Arts Council — to continue developing innovative and impactful work that reflects Jersey City’s rich cultural diversity.
“We look forward to the incredible work that will come to life over the next year thanks to this funding,” said Mira Prinz-Arey, former ACTF Committee member and former Ward B councilwoman.
For more information on the Arts and Culture Trust Fund and a full list of 2025-2026 grantees, please visit www.jerseycityculture.org.
