The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is presenting, promoting, and supporting a multitude of arts and culture events, exhibitions, and shows throughout the month of January. The month is packed with exciting programming primarily centered around celebrating A Mindful New Year. While some COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, artists all over the County and the Middlesex County Arts Institute continue to come together to connect residents through public art, virtual experiences, and performances. The County’s Arts Institute has helped partners navigate this new environment with engaging and thought-provoking experiences. These events are free to enjoy for all County residents and beyond.

Art and Story Time: A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story - January 5 at 4:30pm. Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick for a reading of A New Year’s Reunion: A Chinese Story written by Li Qiong Yu and illustrated by Zhu Chen Liang. This week we will be painting our favorite celebratory foods! All ages welcome!

Art and Story Time: Last Stop on Market Street - January 12 at 4:30pm. Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick for a reading of Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This week we will be creating collages of our favorite local neighborhood spots! All ages welcome!

Shifting the Paradigm: Reflections on Choral Music in a Pre/Post Pandemic World with Vinroy D. Brown, Jr. on January 13 at 6:00pm. This conversation is catered to organizations that are still wrestling with how to return to a sense of normalcy after a season of virtual or no programming. Attendees will hear some new best practices and considerations for how to broaden their impact in the communities they serve, and explore ways to articulate and measure that impact to granting organizations.

Envisioning Peace in Our Beloved Community on January 17 at 12:00pm. In celebration of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 17, 2022, Rutgers Collaborative Center for Community-Engaged Learning and Research is partnering with the Windows of Understanding Public Art Social Justice Initiative to present a one-hour virtual program entitled “Envisioning Peace in our Community.” This program will feature performances and an intergenerational panel composed of influential community leaders around the recent uptick in gun violence in the city and what steps can be taken by all participants within the community — from students to seniors.

Art and Story Time: Outside In on January 19 at 4:30pm. Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick for a reading of Outside In written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Cindy Derby. This week we will be creating watercolor paintings of nature! All ages welcome!

Financial Planning in Uncertain Times with Phil Rosenbloom from Tarn Consulting on January 25 at 11:00am. Expanding on the concepts addressed in "Understanding Your Nonprofit's Financial Health and Needs," this session will dive deeper into financial planning practices for nonprofits seeking to chart a financial course for reopening as the pandemic recedes. Topics will include cash flow and budget projections, scenario planning, and setting reserve goals in the context of financial uncertainty.

Art and Story Time: The Tea Party in the Woods on January 26 at 4:30pm. Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick for a reading of The Tea Party in the Woods written and illustrated by Akiko Miyakoshi. This week we will be imagining and illustrating our own fantasy stories using pencils and whatever supplies you might have on hand! All ages welcome!

The Spring 2022 New Jersey Film Festival kicks off on January 28.  Due to covid the festival will be virtual with screenings available to watch at home.  Screenings take place on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 28 and February 20. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date starting at midnight. Ticket buyers will also have special access to Filmmaker Introductions and Q+A Sessions for many of the films.  Tickets: $15=Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$100.