The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites arts organizations and other nonprofits to attend a free professional development workshop, Strengthen Your Organization through Advocacy and Civic Collaborations, on Tuesday, June 16 at 3:30 pm. The session is hosted by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, and will be conducted via Zoom.
“Arts organizations play an important role in strengthening our communities, enriching cultural life, and bringing people together,” said Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “This workshop gives nonprofit leaders valuable tools to build partnerships, engage with local government, and advocate for the resources they need to continue serving residents. We are proud to support opportunities that help our arts and cultural organizations grow and thrive throughout Union County.”
The 75-minute workshop is presented by staff from ArtPride New Jersey, which advances, promotes, and advocates for the arts and for arts organizations — including work to increase arts funding at local, state and national levels. Attendees will learn valuable, actionable steps for leveraging civic engagement, developing beneficial cross-sector collaborations, and connecting with local officials and local agencies, to fortify their own arts organizations over the long haul. The presenters will involve participants in ArtPride’s initiative to increase communication and share information with municipal leaders about the many ways arts and culture improve community life.
Vincent Hall, Director of Advocacy Operations at ArtPride, leads advocacy and governmental affairs on the federal level. He will present the workshop with Vanessa Ramalho, Director of External Relations, who supports ArtPride’s advocacy and government affairs work, leading efforts to move forward legislative priorities that support the arts in New Jersey.
Organizations interested in attending this free workshop can register at ucnj.org/artpride.
Organizations that receive funding through Union County’s Local Arts Grant (LAP), History Grant, and HEART (History Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant are encouraged to attend. Other non-profit organizations based in New Jersey are also welcome.
This workshop is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, an office of the Department of Parks and Recreation, at culturalinfo@ucnj.org or call 908-558-2550.