The Burlington County Commission approved this year for 19 nonprofit organizations to receive a record total of $315,500 in grants to support arts programs and initiatives in the county.
The Local Arts Grant Award was announced after commissioners voted to approve the distribution earlier this month. They are contingent on entering into a grant agreement with the New Jersey Arts Council, which will provide funding. This year, commissioners added funding to the grant program using $250,000 the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The increased funding allowed commissioners to increase the maximum amount of awards to support organizations helping to recover from the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.
Grant recipients were selected by the committee based on recommendations from a peer panel. It is expected to support a variety of activities and programs, including general operations, advertising, special exhibitions, classes, and performances.
All 19 organizations that applied for grants will receive funding. Sixteen of these organizations have received arts grants from the county so far. Three organizations were the first new applicants to receive arts grants: Bordentown Arts, Roebling Museum, and Timbuctoo Historical Society.
The following organizations have been approved to receive grants:
Bordentown Arts, Bordentown: $9,000 to support the creation of a large mural on the exterior of Woodlyn Lodge on East Park Street. The mural will depict people, places and events related to Bordentown’s African American history.
Bridge Players Theater Company, Burlington: $16,000 for general operating support for a theater company based in Burlington.
Burlington County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, Mount Holly: $21,000 to support the organization’s annual series of arts and cultural events, including the St. Patrick’s Parade through Mount Holly, the Irish Festival, Oktoberfest Celebration, Summer Concert Series, and Bloomsday Celebration.
Essence of Moorestown Harmony Choral Society: $27,000 to support inclusive and diverse community choir operations. This includes music purchases, accompanying musician fees, public relations materials, travel expenses, and Braille programs.
Golden Eagle Community Band, Mount Holly: $4,500 to support the general operations of this all-volunteer, nonprofit community band.
Half Family Arts Foundation, Beverly: $11,000 to support 3rd Annual Beverly Blues Festival. Focus on blues musicians and Riverfront Park.
In Fact Inc., Willingboro: $13,000 to support five public events centered on African American folk art, culture, and community revitalization.
Lyceum Studio of Fine and Performing Arts, Burlington: $18,000 for studio programming and general operational support for classes for all ages and abilities.
Medford Arts Center, Medford: $27,000 for general operational support for community art studios and galleries, including community events and workshops.
Mill Race Village Arts & Preservation, Mount Holly: $25,000 to hire artists and entertainers for the annual Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival, which features ice sculptors, musicians, glassblowers, aviators, costume play performers, culinary artists and dancers.
Moorestown Theater Company. Moorestown: $25,000 in general operational support for company productions and activities;
Roebling Museum, Florence: $18,000 to support the museum’s plan to create a sustainable artist-in-residence program to support local artists and bring attention to Burlington County’s historic buildings.
Services Latinos in Westampton, Burlington County: $20,000 to support the nonprofit organization Latino Festival and Hispanic Heritage Celebration. There will be food, live music, folk dancer paintings, children’s activities, health screenings and more.
South Jersey Pops Orchestra, Evesham: $5,000 to support the development of four unique full orchestral concert programs in 2024.
Timbuctoo Historical Society, Westampton: $12,000 to support the development of a children’s book about Timbuctoo, a antebellum black community founded in Westampton in 1826.
Subway Museum, Easthampton: $20,000 to support the museum’s African Diaspora Festival and other activities.
West Jersey Chamber of Commerce Museum Association, Moorestown: $8,000 in general operating support for the Moorestown-based choir and orchestra. This includes free tickets to livestream concerts and low-income and youth support groups.
West Jersey Academy of Music, Moorestown: $15,000 to support the organization’s music instruction program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
White’s Bog Conservation Trust, Pemberton Township: The $21,000 will support the group’s 2024 live music performances and art workshops focused on Pinelands history, art, nature and the historic village of Whitesbog.