(TRENTON, NJ) -- During a New Jersey State Council on the Arts public meeting on May 19, 2026, the Council announced a new partnership with the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs focused on serving older adult residents of veterans homes through high quality arts learning programs. Evidence shows that creative engagement improves health outcomes, strengthens social bonds, and increases quality of life — all driving factors behind the competitive national grant program supporting this work.
“I am excited to see this innovative new partnership between state agencies,” said Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell, who oversees the Arts Council in his role as Secretary of State. “This collaboration highlights the very best of state government, uplifting one of the many ways Governor Sherrill and I continue to work towards exemplary public programs that support people across the state efficiently and with purpose.”
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts was one of 28 state arts agencies to be awarded funds through the program led by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy: Creative Aging, Creative Futures. These funds make possible an expansion of the Council’s existing Creative Aging Initiative, broadening access to the arts for people at every stage of life.
“We are deeply grateful for this investment and excited to bring the power of creativity to support senior health and wellness directly to the Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland Veterans Memorial Homes. This grant enables our team to expand meaningful, enriching programming that honors the lives, stories, and continued growth of the veterans, veteran spouses, and Gold Star Families who call our facilities home,” said Vincent Solomeno, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs.
The New Jersey State Council on Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society, including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity.
