About SJCA

Almost thirty-five years ago, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance (SJCA) was founded by a small group of cultural leaders determined to address the lack of funding and resources for the eight southern counties of New Jersey. Their advocacy secured an annual 25% allocation of state arts funding for South Jersey—an unprecedented victory that solidified the region’s cultural presence. This milestone led to the creation of a membership-based organization dedicated to ensuring that South Jersey’s arts, history, and cultural sectors receive the recognition and support they deserve.

For more than three decades, SJCA has served as a trusted resource, advocate, and connector for South Jersey’s cultural community. Today, our role is more critical than ever. As the region’s dedicated cultural support organization, SJCA strengthens and uplifts South Jersey’s arts and history ecosystem through collaboration, shared resources, and regional advocacy. Our recent 2024-2027 Strategic Plan outlines three core goals that shape our work and amplify our impact:

Mission

South Jersey Cultural Alliance connects, empowers, and advocates for artists, communities, and organizations to promote engagement and investment in arts and history in our region.

Vision

We envision an inclusive and vibrant South Jersey, where arts and history play a key role in everyone's life, boosting the region's economy, cultural identity, and overall well-being.

We believe we will achieve our mission by:

• Connecting artists, organizations, funders, and other creative practitioners so they can share resources and advocate for equitable opportunities;
  
• Raising awareness and appreciation about the depth and breadth of arts and culture opportunities available to residents and visitors of South Jersey
  
• Demonstrating the positive impact of the arts on our collective well-being and economic prosperity.

Connection

SJCA strengthens and prioritizes ways that SJCA connects artists, organizations, funders, and other creative practitioners so they can share resources and advocate for equitable opportunities in South Jersey and throughout the state.

• Membership & Convenings – We bring together South Jersey’s cultural leaders, organizations, and independent artists through networking events, workshops, and roundtable discussions that foster collaboration and shared knowledge.
• South Jersey Cultural Asset Database & Culture Trail Mobile App – This robust digital platform maps and connects nearly 1,200 cultural assets across the region, making South Jersey’s diverse arts, history, and cultural resources more accessible to local residents, tourists, and educators.
  
  

Engagement

SJCA increases South Jersey residents’ and visitors’ awareness and engagement with arts and culture in the region.

• Community Arts Programs & Cultural Connectors – SJCA partners with local organizations to bring arts and culture directly into communities, particularly those with various barriers to arts and culture engagement - ensuring broad participation and access while supporting organizations and artists in delivering impactful programming.
• Cooperative Marketing & Cultural Tourism Initiatives – Through strategic partnerships and use of our digital platforms, SJCA promotes South Jersey as a cultural destination, enhancing visibility and driving regional economic growth. Subsidizing the cost to allow small organizations to expand their reach.
  
  

Impact

SJCA leverages partnerships to demonstrate the positive impact of arts and culture on our communities' collective well-being and economic prosperity.

• Regional Advocacy & Representation – As South Jersey’s voice at statewide cultural policy discussions and funding meetings, SJCA ensures that our region’s unique needs and opportunities are recognized and addressed.
• Strategic Partnerships & Data-Driven Storytelling – SJCA collaborates with cross-sector organizations to highlight the role of arts and culture in economic development, education, and community well-being.
  
  

A Future Built on Collaboration and Impact

SJCA’s legacy is built on advocacy, resources, and community engagement. By maintaining a pulse on the evolving needs of South Jersey’s cultural sector, we continuously adapt our programs and partnerships to provide relevant, high-impact support. Whether through technology-driven tools like the Cultural Asset Database, cooperative marketing initiatives, or direct engagement with policymakers, we remain committed to amplifying the voices and work of South Jersey’s artists, historians, and cultural organizations.

As we approach our 35th anniversary in 2026, SJCA celebrates the achievements of the past while looking ahead to an even stronger future. Together, we will continue to cultivate a thriving cultural landscape that reflects the richness, creativity, and history of South Jersey.