Advancing a State of Creativity

ArtPride New Jersey is the voice of New Jersey’s arts community. As the state’s largest arts service and advocacy organization, we work to preserve funding and advance policies that invest in the arts across all sectors. The vital research we furnish promotes the public value of the arts as fundamental to creating neighborhoods where people want to live, work, visit, and raise a family. Our award-winning audience development programs connect the public to what’s going on in our state’s arts scene and help increase attendance. The services we provide keep the field up-to-date on industry trends and foster collaboration among our hundreds of member organizations. 

Widely viewed as the go-to source for research, innovative programs and services, and high-impact advocacy, we are proud to support the work of our vibrant creative community. 

 

Voices from the Field

Community is Key at the Cultural Collective Café
A vibrant mural beckons passersby with its bright yellow background and multicolored art, juxtaposed alongside the gray, muted colors of the surrounding buildings. The red text above its open...
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The Most Crucial Element of Effective Civic Engagement is Art
These are tumultuous and uncertain times. The hyperpartisan nature of the United States’ political landscape is worrying, no matter where you find yourself on the political spectrum. There is one...
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How the NJEDA is Fostering the Transformative Power of the Arts for Economic Vitality
In preparing to write this article about the importance of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) funding and investment in the arts, I visited their website to learn more about...
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​​​​​​​Navigating the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Sector Through Federal Policy Changes
The nonprofit world and the arts world have been upended in recent months as the new administration’s policy changes have begun to take effect. A number of executive orders have been enacted...
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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty with HomeFront's ArtSpace
Housing instability in New Jersey is rising at an alarming rate. Over 1 in 4 families do not have any emergency savings at all, creating economic struggle and the inability to afford basic...
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Action Alerts

Take Action! Protect Federal Arts Funding for New Jersey
On October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR). Even during a shutdown, Congress can still consider legislation—including funding for the arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) remain at risk.



The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $207 million each for NEA and NEH in FY26.


The House Appropriations Committee approved only $135 million, a 35% cut to both agencies.


Additional amendments could slash funding further—or eliminate it.



Why...
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Thank the NJ State Legislature for approving level funding for Arts and Culture at $31.9million in the state budget
Please take a moment to thank Governor Murphy and your district legislators for preserving the annual appropriation of $31.9 million for arts and culture in the FY26 New Jersey state budget. Especially now, with potential cuts in federal funding, our state appropriation continues to safeguard arts and culture projects throughout every district in New Jersey.

Please feel free to add your own personal story of how important state funding is in your community and to the arts and cultural organizations in your legislative district. And, continue to invite your legislators to local arts and cultural events so they can see firsthand how important this support is to your community.
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Help Protect IMLS from Harmful Cuts
Museums strengthen communities, drive local economies, and provide lifelong learning opportunities. Yet Congress is considering drastic cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Office of Museum Services (OMS) that would severely impact these institutions.

The House Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill that would slash OMS funding by $9.3 million, eliminating National Leadership Grants for Museums and critical research programs like the National Museum Survey—the first-ever federal snapshot of the museum sector. These programs support innovation and data-driven decision-making across the field.

We must also ensure that IMLS...
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Support the Live Theatre Tax Credit Bill (S3503)
The Live Theatre Tax Credit Bill (S3503) aims to augment New Jersey's arts and entertainment industry by incentivizing commercial live entertainment producers to choose our state as a destination for launching pre-Broadway productions and/or national tours, through mutually beneficial partnerships with New Jersey nonprofit theaters. With the recent film tax credit as a percent, the live theatre tax credit will be crucial for enhancing New Jersey's competitiveness with neighboring states, and has the potential to boost New Jersey’s economy by generating jobs, increasing local, regional, and out-of-state tourism, and ensuring that it remains a vibrant hub for live entertainment....
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