At Metuchen's Forum Theater, Murphy Boosts NJ Arts Scene

METUCHEN, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy came to Metuchen's Forum Theater Tuesday to highlight state resources that help support the arts in New Jersey's downtowns.

Murphy was joined by Mayor Jonathan M. Busch and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, of nearby Woodbridge, among others to tour the historic Forum Theatre - one of the state's many "community treasures," as Murphy put it.

“Visiting Metuchen’s Forum Theatre today served as a reminder of the venue’s immense potential," Murphy said. "New Jersey’s cultural hubs – from our theaters to our music venues - bring people together in support of artistic expression and creativity."

A $3.5 million grant given to Metuchen from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund aided the purchase of the Forum Theatre in 2019.

The grant also aids the advancement of an arts and culture hub in Middlesex County: the Metuchen Arts District. The Forum Theatre, located on Main Street, would serve the community "as a cornerstone" of Metuchen’s downtown and of the Metuchen Arts District, the governor's office said.

And Mayor Busch announced Tuesday that the borough's "vision for the Forum Theatre is closer to reality."

Legislation signed by the governor last year means "Metuchen’s iconic theater will roar back to life in 2026," Busch said.

“We all recognize that revitalizing the Forum Theatre would provide an overwhelming boost to the borough’s flourishing arts scene.” said Busch. “Investment opportunities like these are catalysts for broader economic development in communities throughout New Jersey because they help attract visitors and businesses to places like Metuchen,” he added.

The borough's redevelopment plan and ordinance for the Metuchen Arts District calls for the preservation, revitalization, repurpose, and reuse of the property as an inclusive place for arts, culture and history, Busch has said. The area would be anchored by the Forum Theatre as a “boutique multi-purpose arts center.” You can see Busch's latest update on the project here.

Murphy signed legislation in December of 2023, establishing the Cultural Arts Incentive Program under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Coughlin sponsored the legislation, the Assembly Speaker noted.

The initiative provides various avenues to support the arts and cultural community throughout New Jersey, the governor's office said.

The program will provide tax credits to support eligible applicants’ larger-scale projects, including the rehabilitation of theaters, museums, galleries, libraries, performing arts centers, and related efforts to revitalize New Jersey’s downtowns.

The program will award tax credits to cover capital and operating costs of cultural arts institutions seeking to construct or rehabilitate facilities engaged in the cultural, educational, or artistic enrichment of the people of this state. Recipients of the tax credits would be more equipped to improve and expand their community programming.

"We look forward to working through the Economic Development Authority to revitalize community treasures across New Jersey, and to watching the Metuchen Arts District continue to take shape over the coming months," Murphy said.

The authority's Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said the state's cultural hubs "are critical to our state’s job market and overall economy," creating programs that "help strengthen and restore community assets.” He was among other state and county officials at the event.

“Communities across New Jersey now have resources to revitalize their art and cultural institutions and reap the economic and cultural benefits. I was proud to sponsor legislation to expand these opportunities,” said Coughlin, D-District 19.