ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that 43 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2011 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program.
Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Union County Freeholders established the HEART Grant Program in 1998. This innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and it demonstrates a commitment to the artists and community organizations of Union County. Total funding for this year’s grants is $75,000.
“The recipients of HEART Grants are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The response to the program has been exciting ever since its inception.”
“The services provided by these artists, scholars and organizations directly benefit the residents of our county and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities,” Freeholder Scanlon added. “These cultural assets are a vital part of community life, well being, economic development and cultural heritage tourism in Union County.”
Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s HEART Grant Program can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or send E-mail:culturalinfo@ucnj.org
Union County HEART Grants Awarded 2011 (Total $75,000)
- Brian Beste, Fanwood, $890, presenting art creating and history workshops;
- Candace Waller, Fanwood, $700, presenting dance programs and workshops;
- Danielle Linares Hale, Fanwood, $880, presenting art and history workshops;
- Dennis E. Hyams, Plainfield, $1,000, presenting opera and chamber music performances;
- Kenneth Sack, Summit $1,000, presenting interactive children’s music and theater;
- Sandra Frank, Westfield, $1,000, presenting a music education program for a senior rehab center;
- Valerie Graham, Roselle, $800, presenting crafts workshops for children;
- Arts Guild New Jersey, Rahway, $2,300, presenting Pre-K arts education in Rahway schools;
- Borough of Fanwood, $2,000, presenting a Fanwood Cultural Arts Performance Series;
- Brand New Day, Elizabeth, $2,300, presenting traditional Caribbean music and dance workshops;
- Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $1,600, presenting a joint performance with Union County Academy of the Performing Arts at the Vo-Tech black box theater;
- CASA of Union County, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting arts workshops for child advocates;
- Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, Scotch Plains, $2,500, providing musical performances for hospice residents and families;
- Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, $1,500, provide classical music performances;
- Christ Fellowship Inc., Elizabeth, $500, present musical theater performances;
- City of Rahway, $1,500, hiring artists to create window art for available storefronts;
- Continuo Arts Foundation, Westfield, $1,500, presenting “Seniors Sing” choral program;
- Cranford Housing Board, Inc., Cranford, $1,000, presenting “Broadway and Beyond” concert for senior residents;
- Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $2,400, presenting dance and music cultural events during Hispanic Heritage Month;
- Friends of Jazz, Plainfield, $1,000, presenting music enrichment programs in Plainfield schools;
- Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., $1,600, supporting the 9th Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour focusing on the theme, immigrant contributions;
- Hillside Public Library, Hillside, $1,760, presenting “Arts Around the World” free performances for children and families;
- Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting Friday Teen Arts Night series;
- Jefferson Park Ministries, Inc., Elizabeth, $1,000, presenting music education and performance programs for children;
- Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, Scotch Plains, $2,300, presenting a day of Lower East Side history through music, games food and art;
- Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting poetry and music projects for immigrant women;
- Literacy Volunteers of Union County, Plainfield $2,500, creating “Connections” a literary publication of ESL student work;
- Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, $1,000, producing a musical involving Union County students;
- Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,300, presenting music programs for Union County Juvenile Detention Center;
- National Council of Jewish Women, U.C. Section, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing two intergenerational programs: a big band swing dance and duo pianists;
- New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Berkeley Heights, $2,300, presenting a series of free community concerts;
- Occupational Center of Union County, Roselle, $2,500, presenting art education classes for people with disabilities;
- Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation, $1,900, presenting a historical Kwanza celebration with speakers, music and dance;
- Restore Ministries, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,500, providing a Poetry Club for youth including literary study and expression;
- Second Street Youth Center, Plainfield, $975, presenting a nine week engineering workshop for children;
- The Rake and Hoe Garden Club, Westfield, $1,000, presenting a flower and crafts show;
- Union Township Community Action Organization, Inc., $1,700, presenting Senior Choral performances in nursing homes;
- United Youth of New Jersey, Elizabeth, $2,350, present play about slave Ambo buried in Rahway Cemetery;
- Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit, $2,300, presenting a visual arts program for older adults;
- Westfield Symphony Orchestra, Westfield, $1,600, provide a live concert to accompany movie “Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde”;
- Women in Conversation, Plainfield, $2,500, presenting reading /discussion groups for students, bi-lingual students and seniors;
- YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,500, presenting the Holocaust through Literature, Music & Science series;
- Art in the Garden, through the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Elizabeth, $2,045, presenting individual and group performances during Arts & Humanities Month.
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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .