ArtPride NJ’s Legislative District Teams—comprised of arts workers, business leaders, health professionals, teachers, students, and more—do an amazing job of making their case!  These arts advocates come together to educate their district representatives about the impact the arts have on our economy, our schools, and our hometowns, and their efforts are invaluable.  If you are interested in joining a Legislative District Team, we would love to have you with us!  Email your name, address, and why you are interested in joining to: madelineorton@artpridenj.com.  Show your support by being an advocate for the arts!

 Complete your holiday shopping list while supporting the arts!  The Art Pride New Jersey Foundation Online Auction is your one-stop shop for:

Exciting getaways…

…Celebrity memorabilia…

…Gifts kids will love…

…Exciting experiences and ticket packages…

…And more!  Don’t forget to refer your friends.  Make a bid.  Give a gift.

Bruno Lee, a payroll technician at UMDNJ-The University Hospital, is also an accomplished musician who performs in the hospital lobby as part of the Creative Arts Healthcare Program. (Photo credit: Andrew Hanenberg)

The Creative Arts Healthcare Program at UMDNJ-The University Hospital is benefiting the hospital community and beyond by educating staff, patients and the community about the positive impacts of arts in healthcare.  According to the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, arts in healthcare is a diverse, multidisciplinary field dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience by connecting people with the power of the arts at key moments of their lives. This rapidly growing field integrates the arts—including literary, performing, and visual arts and design—into a wide variety of healthcare and community settings for therapeutic, educational and expressive purposes.

Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre's "Cimmarones de Puerto Rico."

International exchange through the arts provides audiences the opportunity to deepen their understanding of other cultures in a unique, exciting way.  Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre performs several pieces like Spain: The Trail of Gold—a dance that acknowledges the tragic history of cultures of the New World while celebrating the survival of these cultures and their shared roots with Spain through dance, song and music.  The company also performs at schools, libraries and museums to educate audiences about Spanish dance and music traditions.  For more on Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, click HERE.

Meet the panelists!

Sean Baker
Manager of the Annual Fund, League of American Orchestras
Sean is a fundraiser at the League of American Orchestras, where he interfaces with orchestra enthusiasts, concertgoers, staff, and trustees to gain support for the League’s programs and services that strengthen orchestras everywhere.  Formally educated as an orchestral bassist, the study of music led Sean to festivals in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and earned him two degrees in performance from the University of Minnesota and Manhattan School of Music.  Sean’s other interests include entrepreneurship, transhumanism, enjoying the outdoors, and geeky sci-fi stuff.

Tiffany Rea-Fisher
Associate Artistic Director, Elisa Monte Dance
Tiffany Rea-Fisher received her BFA from SUNY Purchase.  After graduation she performed with Compania de Dance, Spain; The Kevin Wynn Collection, NYC; Dance Anonymous, Cyprus; Abraham.in.Motion, NYC and The Brett Howard Dance Company, NYC.  Ms. Rea-Fisher joined Elisa Monte Dance in 2004. She was named Dance Magazine’s “On the Rise” person for their 2007 August issue.  Ms. Rea-Fisher began her administrative work for the company in 2007. In 2009 Tiffany was promoted to Associate Artistic Director, and has now also added the title of Director of Operations.

Kelly Ryman
Director of Marketing and Public Relations, George Street Playhouse
Kelly has worked in marketing or press relations for more than 100 regional theatre productions, nearly half of which were either world or American premieres.  At George Street Playhouse since 2000, she is particularly delighted to have been Marketing Director for the world premiere productions of nine plays by Arthur Laurents as well as The Toxic Avenger and The Spitfire Grill — both of which moved from GSP to New York City and have been performed around the world.  Off-Broadway, Kelly was a member of the marketing team for the The Toxic Avenger, which won the 2009 Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.  She is regional chair of Jersey Arts Marketers, a board member of New Brunswick City Market, a member of the advisory board of Arts Plan NJ and serves on the marketing committee for The New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Entertaining and educational arts events are available for free to the community.  A large crowd of more than 10,000 people gathered to watch the United States Military Academy Band, led by LTC Jim Keene, perform a free concert in Essex County Brookdale Park on July 1st.  To learn more about the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, click HERE.

Photo Credit: Patrick Hilaire Photography

 “The arts represent our collective therapy… and we conjure our original selves through our consumption habits. A healthy diet of this very necessary ‘spiritual food’ is vital to our ongoing happiness and well-being — BON APPETIT! “ – Mike Griot, Founder/Executive Director of the South Orange International Blues Festival

How do the arts impact  Morristown ?

Members of the former John Harms Performing Arts Company from 2001 and the current Mayo Performing Arts Company.

On the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th, Mayo Performing Arts Center hosted a free remembrance event that was a true collaboration of Morristown arts, religious and social organizations. Over 500 members of the community participated in the event and a candlelight moment of silence around the Vail Mansion reflecting pool that followed.  To read more about this event click HERE.

How do the arts impact  Rahway ?

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger

Rahway artist Jim McKeon (front) worked with Tom Fahey of Woodbridge (also pictured) and several others building the Broken Hearts Memorial to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  To learn more about this story, read Mark Di Ionno’s 2009 article for the Star-Ledger: “Rahway Artist Builds Soldier Memorial to Raise Money for Veteran Health Fund.”

It’s show night at your local theater.
The symphony is in town.  Your favorite museum is opening a new exhibition.  When the stage is set, the artwork is hung and the performers are waiting in the wings, audiences aren’t the only ones excited to have the arts in their community.  From schoolchildren and arts workers to restaurants and parking garages, everyone benefits from the arts. 

We want to hear how the arts benefit YOUR community, but don’t just tell us, show us!  Email a sentence or two about the impact the arts have in your community and send us an image so we really get the picture.  October is National Arts & Humanities Month, so don’t miss this opportunity to brag a little (you have our permission.)  And who knows?  Your picture might even be featured in ArtPride’s next campaign!

Email submissions throughout September and October to:
madelineorton@artpridenj.com. 
All submissions may be used by ArtPride New Jersey in future materials for campaigns and advocacy efforts.  Photographer assumes responsibility of obtaining permission from any persons included in submitted photographs.