Gratitude for Our South Jersey Arts and Culture Family
Gratitude for Our South Jersey Arts and Culture Family
As Thanksgiving rolls around, we want to take a moment to reflect and share our gratitude for all of you—the amazing creatives, cultural organizations, and arts advocates who make South Jersey such a vibrant and inspiring place to live and work. We’re lucky to be part of a community so rich in talent, collaboration, and support, and we want to celebrate everything that makes our region’s arts and culture scene truly special.
Here in South Jersey, we’ve got some of the strongest resources and most dedicated partners in the country. While other states envy our support systems, we’re busy showing what’s possible when creativity and community come together.
With so many tools and partners available, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you navigate all the incredible resources designed to help you grow and thrive in South Jersey’s arts and culture community.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is a cornerstone of support for the arts in New Jersey, providing major funding through grants, as well as specialized Folklife and artist fellowships. Their investments, which also include funding for the Cultural and Heritage Local Arts Programs, ensure the vitality and sustainability of arts organizations across the state. Alongside the State Council, the New Jersey Historical Commission serves as the counterpart for the History field, offering critical support for historical organizations and programs. Together, these agencies provide an essential foundation for the state’s cultural landscape, fostering creativity, preserving heritage, and ensuring access for all communities.
With support from partners like ArtPride NJ and their Advocacy Toolkit, South Jersey is equipped to amplify our region’s voice and ensure our region’s unique needs are recognized. ArtPride NJ is relentless in its efforts to secure equitable funding and arts-friendly legislation and policies statewide.
One of ArtPride’s programs, New Jersey Arts Administrators of Color (NJACAC), creates safe spaces for people of color in the arts to connect, share ideas, and build each other up. Whether it’s mixers, workshops, or educational programming, there’s something for everyone looking to foster equity in our field. Our own Shoanne Seijas, Membership & Program Manager and Tania Pomales, Arts Administrator, love attending the group’s events.
The New Jersey Theatre Alliance plays a vital role in supporting the state’s professional theaters. They unite, promote, and strengthen New Jersey’s theater community through innovative, collaborative, and engaging programs tailored to member theaters and their diverse audiences. One of their standout initiatives is the Cultural Access Network, which offers free roundtables to help cultural organizations make their programs and spaces accessible to everyone, ensuring inclusivity across the board.
Did you know New Jersey is the first state to ensure universal access to arts education for all public school students? This is made possible through the dedicated efforts of cultural organizations, teaching artists, and partners like Arts Ed NJ, a true advocate for arts education and a key collaborator in shaping a brighter future. This milestone highlights just how much our state values the role of the arts in shaping young minds and enriching our communities.
South Jersey’s landscape, from its coastline to its urban centers, presents unique environmental challenges. To help cultural organizations prepare for these, the New Jersey Cultural Alliance for Response (NJCAR) provides essential disaster preparedness resources to safeguard collections and sites. Additionally, virtual training platforms like SkillUp NJ are there to help you and your team build valuable skills for the future.
Our Shared Mission
At SJCA, we’re here to connect, empower, and advocate for you—our South Jersey cultural family. Whether it’s sharing resources, building connections, or demonstrating how the arts enrich our collective well-being, everything we do is rooted in collaboration. Together, we’re creating a future where the arts don’t just survive—they thrive.
What We’re Thankful For
We’re thankful for YOU. For your creativity, your passion, and your commitment to making South Jersey a better, brighter, more inclusive place. This Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate all that we’ve achieved together and look forward to what’s next.
Here at SJCA, we’re proud to be South Jersey’s voice with statewide partners, funders, and resource networks. We’re all about making sure our region’s unique needs and perspectives are heard and valued. As well as helping you connect with all the amazing support and services out there. With tools like our centralized Cultural Asset Map & Field Directory and Resource Library, we’re here to connect you with everything you need to thrive in this amazing cultural community.
Wishing you a creative and restful Thanksgiving,
South Jersey Cultural Alliance Team