Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 12/10/2024
Arts Ed NJ will host its second annual Youth Arts Ed Summit on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. This free virtual event represents the culmination of work by the organization's Youth Arts Education Council. This Council was established to amplify student voices and perspectives and drive meaningful change in New Jersey’s arts education landscape.
Click here to register for this free event.
The Summit features expert-led panel discussions on:
* Effective Arts Education Advocacy Led by the Youth Arts Ed Council
* Pathways to the Career you Want: Industry professionals and career consultants share how to pursue a creative career via college or alternative pathways.
* Careers in the Arts with industry professionals including: Playwright, Ngozi Anyanwu; Manager of Theater and Dance Education Programs at Ensemble Arts Philly - Mark Wong; Director of Individual Giving at Sesame Street Workshop - Reynaldi Lindler Lolong; Executive Director at Americans for the Arts Action Fund - Nina Ozlu Tunceli; Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop, Louis Henry Mitchell and more!
The event begins with a pre-summit preview at 9:40am and includes exclusive giveaways throughout the program. All interested participants are welcome to attend this free virtual event.
Under the guidance of Program Director Monifa Kincaid, the Youth Arts Education Council has been meeting since July 2024, engaging in sessions focused on artivism, school board engagement, and public relations strategies. The Council comprises 20 diverse high school students from across New Jersey, currently led by first-year council alumni Alexa Rowe and Maithili Chaudhary. These young leaders collaborate on multimedia projects, interact with guest speakers, and play an integral role in planning the upcoming summit.
“Being able to collaborate with other students to create murals fueled my passion for the arts and showed me the positive impact the arts can have on young people, which is what initially inspired me to join the Youth Council,” said Maithili. “Being part of the council allows me to explore how the arts can drive positive change in our communities, and I’m eager to learn more about how we can make arts education more inclusive and impactful,” said Alexa.
"The Youth Arts Education Council represents the next generation of arts advocates and leaders," said Wendy Liscow, Executive Director of Arts Ed NJ. "Their fresh perspectives and passionate voices are helping to reshape arts education across New Jersey, creating more inclusive and dynamic learning environments for all students."
Council members are developing crucial skills in advocacy, creative problem-solving, and community engagement while working to champion arts education in their schools and communities. Their initiatives include exploring the intersection of arts and social justice, developing strategies for engaging with school administrators, and creating effective advocacy campaigns.
The general public can support Arts Ed NJs mission and our youth initiatives by donating online or through Venmo.
This year's Summit is made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, NJ State Council on the Arts, and The Henry S. and Agnes M. Trusack Foundation. Sponsorships and ads are available for purchase. Learn more here or for information, please contact [email protected]
Arts Ed NJ is a collective impact coalition of statewide partners that works to ensure that all New Jersey Prek-12 public school students participate in a high-impact, sequential, equitable arts education that celebrates diverse lived experience and artistic expression and prepares the creative leaders of tomorrow.
EVENT PREVIEWS
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
