(MAHWAH, NJ) -- The Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts at Ramapo College of New Jersey received two grants to continue its work with local students as well as bringing arts programming to the northern New Jersey community.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts awarded the Berrie Center a grant of $56,900, part of the state-wide grants appropriation to support more than 700 arts organizations, projects and artists throughout New Jersey.

“It has been an honor to witness the ongoing dedication and boundless creativity of our state’s arts sector,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “I am proud to work closely with the State Arts Council as they grow and innovate, finding new ways to best serve the artists, arts workers, and organizations that continue to engage and inspire communities throughout the state.”

The Berrie Center also received a grant of $11,670 for its on-going partnership with P.S. 28 in Paterson. This Arts Education Special Initiative grant will create direct encounters between each student at P.S. 28 and professional performing artists. “The project will support the learning goals of the art curriculum at P.S. 28, and provide opportunities for the P.S. 28 students to engage with artists from different cultural backgrounds,” said Lisa Campbell, Director of the Berrie Center. “The students will have direct engagement with the artists, and explore how an education in the arts can lead to careers.”

“Needless to say, the Berrie Center and Ramapo College are honored by the trust instilled in us from the Council,” Campbell said. “These grants will help us to continue our mission to bring the arts to a wider audience and build opportunities for enriching engagement in the creative processes.”