(RED BANK, NJ) -- Monmouth Arts and The Count Basie Center for the Arts invite artists from New Jersey to submit applications for Stamped Stories, a series of postcards marking the Centennial Celebration of Red Bank's Count Basie Center for the Arts, whose historic theater opened in 1926. Artists selected will be commissioned to create artwork representing each decade of the theater's existence, from the 1920s to present day.
Each Stamped Stories postcard will focus on a specific decade while incorporating elements of the Count Basie Center for the Arts - the landmark marquee, the history, the performances, the community. The postcards will be printed and available monthly as well as in a commemorative set.
The first design, from Red Bank artist and muralist Michael White, depicts the present-day façade of the Basie Center’s historic marquee and main entrance. We’re looking forward to seeing how other artists are inspired by this challenge!
Postcard images will be printed on 5"x7" cards, with artist credit included. A stipend will be provided to those artists selected for the project. Artists and their work will also be showcased at www.thebasie.org/centennial.
Monmouth Arts shares a deep history with the Count Basie Center, and the Stamped Stories project provides an opportunity for the two nonprofits to showcase local artists and present diverse interpretations of the history of the Monmouth Street performance venue throughout the decades.
TO APPLY - This opportunity is open to New Jersey artists of all experience levels who are 16 years or older and are members of Monmouth Arts. Interested in submitting to Stamped Stories but not yet a member? Artists who would like to become new members and submit may use the code STAMPED to receive $10 off the $40 artist membership rate; student memberships are free.
The Stamped Stories application deadline is Monday, September 22, 2025.
For more information, complete guidelines, and the application, click here.
For assistance or questions about submitting to this opportunity please contact Connie Isbell, Membership & Community Engagement Director, at [email protected]; 732.212.1890 ext 101.
Monmouth Arts was founded in 1971 after the Junior League of Monmouth County surveyed the community and identified the need for a central agency to coordinate and assist all county artists and arts organizations. With seed money from the Junior League and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts was designated as the official county arts agency, made up of arts groups, artists, and supporters of the arts. At that point, the organization began providing assistance and services to strengthen the arts and the quality of life in Monmouth County.
Monmouth Arts shares a deep history with the Count Basie Center, which originally opened in 1926 as Reade’s Carlton Theater. In 1973, an anonymous donor provided Monmouth Arts with funds to purchase the historic theater, renaming it as the Monmouth Arts Center. In 1984, the theater was renamed the Count Basie Theatre in honor of jazz icon and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie.
In 1999, Monmouth Arts and the Basie separated into two nonprofit organizations so that each organization could better focus on its individual mission. Today, through a variety of programs and services, Monmouth Arts continues to enrich the community by inspiring and fostering the arts throughout Monmouth County.
