The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund began bringing the cultural community together by hosting convenings. As a result, the connections between artists, arts administrators, history professionals, and community stakeholders across New Jersey have grown by leaps and bounds. That tradition will continue with the Fund’s next convening, on October 30, 2024, at the Camden County Historical Society. Learn more here.
When asked what they found most valuable about participating in a New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund Convening, one attendee noted the energy in the room around the state’s arts and culture scene. “It was great to be together to hear about what is happening around the state from the people helping to make arts and culture a dynamic part of our community,” they said. “We don’t often have such a collective opportunity outside of our individual organizations. Coming together to listen and learn was so heartening.”
Here’s an overview of the convenings the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund has held to date.
October 2023: Cultural Convening in Camden, NJ
The Fund’s first Cultural Convening, in Camden, NJ, in October 2023, where 115 attendees gathered. This in-person event helped set the stage for the ways in which the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund can be a resource and connector. Camden-born Multimedia artist Mickalene Thomas was the keynote guest.
March 2024: Cultural Convening at Grounds for Sculpture
On March 21, 2024, 60 attendees enjoyed an afternoon of collaboration in community with cultural organizations and community partners.
With a focus on the arts and culture in the Trenton/Mercer County area, artists and stakeholders participated in and learned from panel discussions, engaged in focus groups, and made peer-to-peer connections at the Cultural Convening at Grounds for Sculpture. A group of young musicians from Trenton Music Makers, under the direction of Melissa Nino, performed at the event.
June 2024: Cultural Convening at Newark Museum of Art
On June 17, 2024, board members, grantees, and other distinguished guests gathered at the Newark Museum of Art for an afternoon of collaboration in community with cultural organizations and community partners.
Award-winning, New Jersey-born conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas was the event’s featured keynote guest. In his art practice, Thomas connects the dots between creativity, community, and civic engagement. His presence and participation helped set the stage for a rich community dialogue.
Museum Director and CEO Linda C. Harrison welcomed the group into the Newark Museum of Art’s beautiful court for this convening.
About the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund was created by a coalition of New Jersey funders aligned to ensure a coordinated approach to sector support with a commitment to equity in grantmaking. The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund provides financial support to catalyze an equitable statewide recovery and build cultural sector resilience. Learn more about the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund here.
