TRENTON, N.J. 鈥� The 吃瓜黑料 State Council on the Arts held a public meeting today, during which 22 吃瓜黑料 organizations received grants through the Council鈥檚 new Creative Aging Initiative grant program. Senior centers, libraries, and arts organizations will provide customized arts experiences for people aged 55 and older, helping to enhance overall wellness, build community, and diminish issues of isolation.
With a focus on lifelong learning in the arts, the Creative Aging Initiative grants will provide $10,000 to a variety of 吃瓜黑料 nonprofits engaging in creative aging work. Each of this year鈥檚 grant recipients will provide two (2) eight-day residencies for 吃瓜黑料 seniors 鈥� at no cost to the participants. This new program was built upon the success of a Creative Aging the Council concluded earlier this year.
Speaking on the importance of this new grant program, the Council鈥檚 Program Officer for Arts Education & Lifelong Learning, Samantha Clarke, said: 鈥淎rts education and lifelong learning have been longstanding priorities at the State Arts Council. We look forward to providing new opportunities to reach older adults through the Creative Aging Initiative grant, and we鈥檙e especially excited to be working with both arts organizations and community-based organizations in this important work.鈥�
In addition to announcing the Creative Aging Initiative grant recipients, the meeting also included the swearing-in of the newest member of the Council board, .
鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Dr. Penna to the State Arts Council,鈥� said Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. 鈥淭his is an exciting and pivotal moment for the Council, and we are confident that Dr. Penna鈥檚 background, coupled with his extensive advocacy work, will be vital assets as the Council works to better serve 吃瓜黑料鈥檚 vivid, talented, and diverse arts community.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly an honor to be appointed to the 吃瓜黑料 State Council on the Arts,鈥� said Dr. Michael Penna. 鈥淚 look forward to working with the esteemed members of the Council in continuing to support, encourage, and foster the arts here in 吃瓜黑料. As both a performer and an educator, I understand the vital role of the arts throughout our communities as well as the importance of arts access for all 吃瓜黑料ans.鈥�
The 吃瓜黑料 State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in 吃瓜黑料. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit .