PUSHCART PLAYERS, ARTSPOWER GET GRANTS FROM N.J. ARTS COUNCIL

"It's a terrific endorsement for us."

Paul Whelihan

producing artistic director of Verona-based Pushcart players, who said the grant money will help the troupe bring shows to schools for children with autism

Nearly 50 Essex County arts organizations and programs are among the recipients of $15.7 million in grants awarded by the New Jersey Council on the Arts.

The awards were announced at the council's 51st annual meeting held at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, according to a release. Seven hundred organizations, projects and artists throughout the state received money.

"Today's awards demonstrate our continued commitment to preserving New Jersey's status as a national leader in public support for the arts," said Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno in a statement. "I'm proud of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for all its work in providing and stimulating critically important opportunities in the arts for people of all ages."

The council receives funding from the state through the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee legislation passed in 2003, and receives annual competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Funding decisions are made through a transparent, merit-based and rigorous grants process that assures access and equity. Independent peer panels evaluate grant applications to eliminate the possibility for conflict of interest," states the release.

ArtsPower National Touring Theatre, based on Sand Park Road in Cedar Grove, has received $49,138 from the council.

Mark Blackman, one of the founding co-directors, said ArtsPower has been receiving state funding since 1991. The nonprofit produces musicals and dramas and takes them on tour across the country. Founded in 1985, the troupe performs in schools, cultural centers and regional theaters.

Blackman, who founded the organization with his twin brother Gary, said they were thrilled to receive the support of the grant.

"It provides not only financial assistance," he said, "but it also provides an endorsement that's really important to us. The state Arts Council tells us that we're an important entity in the state, and we appreciate that."

The Pushcart Players in Verona has received $28,750 in grant money.

A touring theater group founded in 1974, Pushcart Players has traveled more than 2 million miles nationally and abroad, according to its website.

Paul Whelihan, producing artistic director of Pushcart, said the grant money will help the troupe bring shows to schools in Clifton and Newark.

"It's a terrific endorsement for us," Whelihan said of the grant.

In Clifton and Newark, the Pushcart Players will perform at schools for children with autism.

"There's a good educational program there," Whelihan said, "and we're really excited about it."

The Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has been awarded $719,409, according to the announcement.

"The New Jersey Council on the Arts has a great impact economically on the communities in which nonprofits it supports reside," said Paper Mill spokesperson Shayne Miller. "The funds are for general operating support so this will help all of our programs."

For decades, the Council on the Arts has designated the Paper Mill Playhouse a major arts organization and awarded the playhouse a citation for excellence since 2012, something Miller said makes the playhouse attractive to potential funders.

"We have a $19 million annual budget, and a good portion of that needs to be fundraised to keep our ticket prices at their current levels," he said.

Montclair Film, the nonprofit organization behind the Montclair Film Festival, is one of seven Montclair entities to receive grant money.

Montclair Film Executive Director Tom Hall said the $30,000 his organization has received will go toward the festival and the year-round film programming done by Montclair Film.

"We're thrilled, since we are a nonprofit and we rely on all sources of funding," said Hall, who noted that he and his colleagues at Montclair Film were happy for all arts organizations that have received funding.

Awards also were given to Montclair-based organizations Dance New Jersey, Freespace Dance, Jazz House Kids, the Montclair Art Museum, Montclair State University Art Galleries, and the Montclair State University/Arts and Cultural Programs, according to the announcement.

The Montclair Art Museum's grant of $298,817 will provide general operating support for all museum exhibitions and programs, according to the museum.

"The Montclair Art Museum is grateful for the continued support of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and especially proud to have received the honor of being designated as a Major Arts Institution along with a Citation of Excellence," stated MAM Director Lora S. Urbanelli. "This funding makes a real and measurable difference in our ability to offer high quality exhibitions, classes, and events that benefit our entire community, including schools, businesses, individuals, and families."

Daniel Gurskis, Montclair State University's Dean of the College of Arts, said the university was "very grateful and excited" about the council giving two grants to the university totaling $67,292 that will provide general operating support to not the school's art gallery but also its arts and cultural programs.

"The New Jersey State Arts Council has consistently been really a great champion of the arts at Montclair State. Both the visual arts, in terms of the George Segal Gallery, and the performing arts, with Peak Performances," Gurskis said.

The New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble, based in Bloomfield, will receive $16,814 toward general operating support.

In 1994, Deborah Mitchell founded the nonprofit professional tap dance company, according to its website. Aside from her direction and performance accolades, she has authored, directed and choreographed arts-education musicals "Doll Shop" and "Generation Tap."

First Company rehearses at Broadway Performing Arts, 357 Broad St. in Bloomfield. All of its dancers also teach tap throughout New Jersey.

Email: gray@northjersey.com

"It's a terrific endorsement for us."

Paul Whelihan

producing artistic director of Verona-based Pushcart players, who said the grant money will help the troupe bring shows to schools for children with autism