(NEWARK, NJ) -- Applications for ArtStart, Newark Arts’ annual mini-grant program opened on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. ArtStart provides grants to non-profit organizations and individuals to create music, dance, theatre, film, visual and literary art projects that benefit the residents and neighborhoods of Newark. Winning proposals will be awarded grants ranging up to $3,000 each. 

Applicants who offer early learning programming are encouraged to apply.  “Children from ages zero to five need the arts too!  We’re delighted that ongoing support from the Turrell Fund will help us bring learning opportunities to our youngest residents,” said Newark Arts Executive Director Jeremy Johnson.

ArtStart was established in 2001, with the mission to nurture arts and cultural activities throughout the city of Newark, especially for youth and under-served populations. Since its inception, Newark Arts has made over 150 ArtStart grants, totaling more than $400,000. 

ArtStart has funded schools of music and dance, local galleries, film and book projects, programs for children and seniors, and multidisciplinary community initiatives including neighborhood development plans. 

If you are a local artist with a special project, a resident that wants to collaborate with an established arts organization, a non-profit servicing youth, or a school that has a great arts education idea that needs funding, you may be eligible to receive an ArtStart grant. Download an application at Newarkarts.org/ArtStart beginning on January 10, 2018.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit NewarkArts.org/ArtStart, call Nikki Horwitz at 973-643-1625 or email nikki@newarkarts.org.

Funding for ArtStart has been provided by Prudential Foundation, Bank of America, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the Turrell Fund. 

About Newark Arts (formerly Newark Arts Council): Newark Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which powers the arts to transform the lives of those who live in, work in, and visit Newark. The Council is the umbrella for the Newark Arts Education Roundtable (NAER) and is a partner with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Development, Arts, and Tourism. The Council awards neighborhood grants through its ArtStart program, produces the Open Doors Citywide Arts Festival, and will oversee Newark’s Community Cultural Plan in 2017-2018. For more information, visit www.newarkarts.org.