“Newark’s economic and cul-
tural vibrancy is rooted in the
arts community,” said Jeremy
Johnson, Executive Director of
Newark Arts. “We at Newark
Arts are committed to working
with the City of Newark to bol-
ster the diverse core of artists,
arts organizations, and creative
businesses who are on the
frontline of education, equity,
and artistic expression. We will
need art, and plenty of it to
help emerge from the current
crisis and to build on the rec-
ommendations of the Newark
Creates cultural plan.”
The arts contribute more than
$178 million to Newark’s econ-
omy, create more than 5,000
local jobs and generate $15.5
million in local and state taxes.
“The Creative Catalyst Fund
will encourage public and pri-
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 70
vate partnerships as well as
long-term sustainability, in-
vestment, equitable funding
of Newark based arts and cul-
tural organizations and pro-
vide much needed relief,” said
Arts and Cultural Affairs Direc-
tor Fayemi Shakur. The Fund
aligns with Newark Creates, a
cultural plan researched and
developed by Newark Arts,
and made final in 2019. New-
ark Creates is a collaborative
plan on behalf of the City. The
plan, funded by Prudential and
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foun-
dation, details an 18-month
organized initiative of com-
munity members, nonprofit,
for-profit, and governmental
stakeholders working together
to advance an equitable foun-
dation for Newark to thrive
with arts and culture. w
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