Money For Jersey City Artists And Groups: Applications Now Open For $850K In Grants

JERSEY CITY, NJ —Jersey City artists and arts groups have through March 28 to compete for $850,000 in grants from local sources.

The city and the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee announced this week that applications are open for funding generated by the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund.

There will be information sessions about applying on Feb. 26 and a virtual ADA session on Feb. 25.

Jersey City was the first municipality in New Jersey to establish an Arts and Culture Trust Fund, and now intends to distribute $850,000 in grants, including $100,000 in Artist Fellowships via the Jersey City Arts Council.

The money is meant to provide "meaningful support to help local artists and arts organizations throughout Jersey City grow and thrive," the city said.

“Our local artists and arts organizations define our city as a local destination for arts and culture, and our investments today will have invaluable impacts for generations to come,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “The more we support and invest in our burgeoning arts community, the more we can promote and expand wide ranging opportunities for all of our residents."

Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund generates four times the amount of what Hudson County receives in total from the state every year, the city said.

Grant applications are available online as of this week. The funds will support Jersey City artists, educational programming, and arts organizations that expand the impact and inclusiveness of the arts in Jersey City, build community connections through art, and develop creative and economic opportunities for artists.

Applications must include:

• Direct Public Benefit – Detailed plans to provide a free public benefit through art, unique to each applicant depending on their work and artistic discipline.
• Diversity Equity Access and Inclusion – Detailed plans for making real and meaningful improvements that address barriers to ensuring all residents can participate in the arts.

“As an artist and Jersey City native, I have experienced waves of arts organizations and other artists come and go, due in part to the lack of financial support available to facilitate our contributions, which have made this dity great,” said Nyugen Smith, a Jersey City artist. “I am excited and encouraged that the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund has been established. It is absolutely in the interest of fostering creativity and puts us on par with other world-class cities."

Virtual information sessions, eligibility requirements, pre-recorded tutorials, and other tips for applying can be found on the Jersey City Cultural Affairs website. The application deadline is March 28, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

Here is a link to the application page.

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