Discover Jersey Arts Month Honors Economic, Educational, Social Impact of the Arts

BURLINGTON – The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts have announced that Gov. Phil Murphy proclaimed October 2019 as Discover Jersey Arts Month. 
According to a release, this is to be in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month. Discover Jersey Arts Month celebrates the joy, entertainment and enrichment the arts bring to our communities. 
Intended to encourage all New Jerseyans to explore the many cultural offerings found throughout the Garden State, Discover Jersey Arts Month also highlights the often-overlooked economic, educational and social impact the arts have on our lives.
“Discover Jersey Arts Month is the perfect way to join the national celebration, and to be reminded that the arts are central to many elements we value most in a modern society,” stated Allison Tratner, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “The artists and arts organizations at work in our state’s creative industry are strengthening the economy, bridging communities, drawing tourists and preparing the next generation of innovative leaders to not only compete in the global economy, but to have the social-emotional skills to change the world.”
To learn more about the incredible impact the arts have on the state and hear real stories of how art affects the lives of New Jerseyans in robust ways, visit ArtMattersNJ.org. Along with powerful videos, facts and figures can be found that illustrate how the arts fuel the region in seen and unseen ways – from driving the economy forward to helping kids succeed in school.
“Gov. Murphy’s proclamation acknowledges the amazing arts in our state and how vital they are to our towns and cities,” stated Adam Perle, president and CEO of ArtPride New Jersey. “The arts are ever-present in our daily lives – in our schools and downtowns, in our hospitals and parks. With a direct economic impact of a half billion dollars annually to the state, and a workforce of more than 19,000, the arts are playing a powerful role in economic development across New Jersey.”