Newark is for Artists mural by The Nork Project, photo by Chrystofer Davis.

(NEWARK, NJ) -- On November 21, 2024, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the recipients of the 2024 Creative Catalyst Fund awards to provide artists and cultural groups with flexible grant support in recognition of the immense social and economic value the creative sector brings to Newark. The list of the awardees can be viewed here.

A selection committee composed of local artists, curators, community representatives, city staff and funders, recommended 168 applications for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. 132 grants will be awarded to individual artists and artist collectives with an average award of $2,700; and 36 grants will be awarded to small and mid-sized arts organizations and creative businesses with an average award of $11,000.

"When people interact with art, we see a direct positive impact on our quality of life, creative placemaking and community revitalization, as well as improvements to our physical and mental health," Mayor Baraka said. "These results, combined with the benefits to job creation, tourism, and economic development, make arts funding critical for infusing cities with added value and vitality."

The Creative Catalyst Fund was created by Mayor Baraka and City of Newark Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs Director fayemi shakur in January 2020 as the City of Newark's first-ever arts grant program. Since its launch at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the fund awarded over 500 grants totaling $3.1 million to artists and organizations for programs serving hundreds of thousands of Newark residents and visitors, and hiring thousands of additional artists for their work supporting the projects. Grantees have used the funds to help pay for operating costs, space rentals, staff, programming costs, supplies and equipment, and COVID-related expenses.

"Artists breathe new life into every community they touch-so much so that even local governments are going the extra mile to ensure that these creators have resources they need to pursue their craft," said Newark Symphony Hall President and CEO Talia Young. "Collaborative initiatives such as these help to ensure that Newark will continue to have strong pipeline of talented artists for our city."

Financial support from the fund has bolstered Newark's creative community, which has vital contributions to civic economy, neighborhood revitalization, education, tourism, and an overall improvement in quality of life for city residents. The arts are estimated to contribute more than $178 million to Newark's economy, support roughly 5,000 local jobs and generate $15.5 million in local and state taxes.

There is also a growing practice of "social prescribing" as a way for healthcare providers to address patients' health and wellbeing with cultural activities. Studies have also shown a variety of social benefits with the availability of arts activities in otherwise under-resourced neighborhoods.

The Creative Catalyst Fund is administered by the city's Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs and was designed and facilitated with the help of Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world.

"Artists are our healers, our connectors, our truth tellers, and this inspiring list of Creative Catalyst Fund grantees shows our city's strength to carry forward in trying times," said Director shakur. "In this time of heightened political tensions, it is more critical than ever to support creativity and free expression."

For more insight into Mayor Baraka's arts initiatives spearheaded by the city's Arts and Cultural Affairs, visit the city's website.