16 Burlington County Arts, Cultural Groups To Split $152K In State Grants

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ —Sixteen different nonprofits in Burlington County will share $152,000 in state money earmarked to support arts programs and initiatives, officials said.

Commissioners voted to approve the distribution of Local Arts Grants money to a record-high number of local nonprofit groups and arts/cultural initiatives. Funding comes from the New Jersey Arts Council, said commissioners.

The Moorestown Theater Company, Essence of Harmony Choral Society, West Jersey Chamber Music Society, and West Jersey Music Academy will all receive funding, said commissioners.

Other grant recipients include theater and musical groups, art and performing studios, festivals, the Burlington County St. Patrick's Day Parade, and more.

“Burlington County is known for its natural scenery and history, but we’re also proud of our county’s vibrant and diverse arts scene,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “The arts are a big part of what makes our county such a wonderful place to live and raise a family and our Board is pleased to support the arts with our own County programs and by distributing these grants.”

Here's the full list of Local Arts Grants approved by the county:

• Arts Guild NJ, Burlington: $10,000 to provide art supplies and services to create five historically representative murals with renowned mural artists and Burlington area students.
• Bridge Players Theater Company, Burlington: $10,000 for general operating support for the Burlington City-based theater group.
• Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mount Holly: $7,000 to support the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mount Holly and other arts and cultural events in Mount Holly and the Rancocas Valley area, including an Oktoberfest Celebration, Summer Concert Series, Bloomsday Celebration and Samhain Celebration.
• Essence of Harmony Choral Society, Moorestown: $8,000 for general operating support for the Moorestown-based inclusive, community choir.
• Faith in Action, Willingboro: $12,000 to continue the group’s Arts Performance and Awareness Project consisting of performing arts productions, training and workshops designed to connect youth participants to their heritage and their communities.
• Haaf Family Foundation, Inc., Beverly: $7,500 to support Second Annual Beverly Blues Festival, a free one-day blues festival held in Beverly in September.
• In Fact, Inc., Willingboro: $12,000 to support three planned festivals focused on African American folk art and traditions, including the Willingboro Kwanzaa festival.
• Lyceum Studio of Fine and Performing Arts, Burlington: $9,000 to support general operations of the arts education programs at Lyceum Hall Center for Arts in Burlington City.
• Medford Arts Center, Medford: $11,000 for general operating support for the center’s programs, classes, camps and exhibits, including the Medford Arts & Wine & Music Festival, Family Fun Day and 2nd Friday Arts Walk.
• Moorestown Theater Company, Moorestown: $11,000 for general operating support for the company’s productions and activities.
• Servicios Latinos de Burlington County, Westampton: $12,000 to support the organization’s annual Latino Festival and Hispanic Heritage Celebration featuring food, live music, folk dancers, children’s activities and health screenings.
• South Jersey Pops Orchestra, Evesham: $5,000 to support the development of four unique full-orchestra concert programs to be performed in 2023.
• Underground Railroad Museum, Eastampton: $4,000 to support the museum’s three-part African Diaspora Series.
• West Jersey Chamber Music Society, Moorestown: $7,500 for general operating support for this Moorestown-based choir and orchestra.
• West Jersey Music Academy, Moorestown: $11,000 for a special project to expand the academy’s individualized instruction to students with special needs.
• Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Pemberton Township: $10,000 to support musical and visual events highlighting Suningive, the historical home and gardens of Elizabeth White, who teamed with researcher Frederick Coville to cultivate the first domesticated blueberries.

A peer panel within the County Division of Parks put together recommendations for commissioners, the county said.

Officials said that Burlington County will also use $100,200 in state funding to sponsor arts programs, events, and exhibits around the county.