2025 Union County Local Arts Grants

The Union County Local Arts Grants program, supported by the Union County Board of County Commissioners, the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board, and the NJ State Council on the Arts, aims to strengthen local arts through a State/County block-grant partnership. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to recognize the value of the arts, foster artistic excellence, and expand the public impact of arts organizations and projects within Union County. The program's design reflects a strategic priority to empower non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations that serve Union County residents, demonstrating a commitment to local cultural development. The primary target beneficiaries are non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations located in and serving Union County residents, as well as libraries, schools, and units of government undertaking specific arts projects. The impact goals are multifaceted: to increase the availability and accessibility of quality arts experiences, broaden and diversify participation in the arts, and promote public and private support for local arts activities. This includes fostering collaborations and partnership-building, ensuring ADA compliance, and strengthening organizations artistically and administratively. The program prioritizes several key areas, encouraging applicants to highlight the excellence of New Jersey artists, incorporate diverse programming and artists, reach diverse and underserved audiences, present family-friendly programs, and promote high-quality, lifelong arts education. Organizations can apply for either General Operating Support (GOS), exclusively for arts organizations to cover overall operations, or Special Project (SP) grants, open to both arts and non-arts organizations for specific arts projects or series. This dual approach allows for comprehensive support, addressing both the foundational stability of arts organizations and the execution of innovative projects. Expected outcomes include enhanced artistic excellence, increased public recognition of the arts, and a more robust and diverse array of arts programs available to Union County residents. Measurable results are tied to strengthening local arts organizations, increasing accessibility through ADA compliance, and fostering greater community participation. The theory of change behind this grant program posits that by investing in local arts organizations and projects, Union County can cultivate a vibrant cultural landscape, enrich the lives of its residents, and stimulate broader community engagement and support for the arts.