Monmouth County Groups Collect $644K in Arts Grants

Monmouth County arts groups will receive a total of $644,347 in grant funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts awarded more than $15.6 million in grant funding to nearly 800 arts organizations, projects and artists. The funding was announced at the Arts Council’s 47th Annual Meeting in Trenton Tuesday.

“The funds awarded today will serve as a catalyst for the economic growth and creative vitality of communities statewide,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

The following Monmouth County-based organizations received funding:

• Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank: $178,815 for general operating support
• Monmouth County Arts Council, Red Bank: $15,809 for local arts staffing initiative and $157,398 for local arts program
• Two River Theater Company, Red Bank: $118,812 for general operating support
• Algonquin Arts, Manasquan: $49,895 for general operating support
• Arts and Education Center, Matawan: $33,293 for general operating support
• Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center, Lincroft: $23,750 for general program support
• Monmouth University, West Long Branch: $42,681 for general program support
• New Jersey Repertory Company, Long Branch: $23,894 for general operating support

The grants come from the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee legislation passed in 2003, which established a revenue source to support arts, history and tourism, a news release said. Also, approximately $400,000 of the $15.6 million in funding came from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The grants are awarded based on merit and a process that assures access and equity, the news release said.

“We are grateful that our state leaders recognize the importance of strategically investing in the arts,” said Arts Council chair Elizabeth Mattson. “The arts are a proven tool for success in addressing education, healthcare, economic and community development, and more.”

State arts funding employs an estimated $17,000 workers, supports 37,000 cultural events and attracts 5 million visitors who spend another $125 million, according to the news release.