NJAI MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES SEPTEMBER 25TH WITH GAR FRANCIS

West Orange, New Jersey, August 19, 2010 – New Jersey Arts Incubator’s Music Series continues September 25th with a night of Americana rock featuring performances by Gar Francis and Tom Picard.

The concert will take place at NJAI’s new location in Essex Green, 495 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey. Just ‘follow the art’ down the walkway to the AMC Cinema entrance and turn right at the new mural into the courtyard. Doors open at 7:30pm. Suggested donation $10.

Showcasing the best of New Jersey’s up and coming musicians, the NJAI Music Series began in April with a performance by rock bands Mike Rocket & the Stars and Red Reyne and continued in May with a night of Celtic celebration featuring Blackwater and Slight Imperfection. June featured indie rockers Blair Reinhard Band and Loa Heymann Band before the series went on a brief summer hiatus. The NJAI Music Series provides a performance venue for New Jersey and area musicians that explore stylistic and culturally diverse world music performed in an effort to promote various forms of musical expression. To participate email info@njai.org

Gar Francis was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ and has been called the hardest working songwriter in America. As founding member of the 1970s group The Rockids; Gar spent most of his time at CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City in Manhattan sharing a stage with The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and others. Gar is currently writing and producing for such acts as, The Doughboys, Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs, Jeanne Lozier, The Easy Outs, Jana Peri, Jackie Kringle & The Elves, as well as his own solo projects including a newly released folk album titled “Love & Protest”. Gar is finishing his upcoming Americana album “The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same” for the newly formed Bongo Boy Records. He wrote and produced 2 new singles: “Come On, Come On” for the rock band The Easy Outs and “Ballerina Of The Bowery” for NY Rocker Jana Peri. Gar has received awards for songwriting from The John Lennon Song Contest, the Unisong Music Awards, an Honorable Mention in the Billboard Song Contest and two songs were voted by Sirius radio listeners the ‘Coolest Song In The World in 2008 & 2009.’ www.garfrancis.com. Tom Picard opens the show www.tompicard.com.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

Art Education for Special Needs Toddlers

Project development funded by Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation.

This signature NJAI project will focus on using art experience to stimulated special needs toddlers 12 months – 36 months in an effort to maximize the development of skills and abilities. This program is intended as a supplemental activity to traditional therapies, and will include tactile arts, music, storytelling, puppetry and dance.

The prototype class will be held in Winter of 2011 at the New Jersey Arts Incubator studio. For information about participating as a teaching artist, therapist, or family, call 973-669-0602 or email, info@njai.org.

Call for interested families and arts educators.

NJAI Literacy Project Performance Held at Montclair Art Museum

Essex County, NJ, 6/28/10

The New Jersey Arts Incubator, the Rose Parks School, the Orange Public School and the Montclair Art Museum partnered this spring on an innovative literacy project for 20 students of the Rosa Park School, which culminated in a recent performance at MAM.

Hundreds of community members participating in the Montclair Art Museum Community Day on June 13th enjoyed the 20 minute performance by Orange 13-16 year old students from the Rosa Parks School in Orange New Jersey. Based on the Force For Change exhibit at MAM which explores and celebrates the numerous recipients of the Julius Rosenwald Fund, the literacy project presentation included poetry presentation and movement chosen and performed the students.

“The Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project provided our students an experience outside of their normal daily environment,” said NJAI Education Director Joseph Gardner.  “We had the opportunity to bring them to the museum and expose them to the legacy of Julius Rosenwald. Through their exploration of these funded artists the students learned about the rich cultural experience of African Americans of this period and translated that to knowledge into performance that reflected their own lives.”

NJAI is committed to creating and supporting a partnership between art, education and communication.  Professionals in the performing arts and arts development share their knowledge with students of all ages with a special emphasis on artistic programming for children of diverse cultures in low socio-economic backgrounds.

Julius Rosenwald founder and owner of Sears & Roebuck, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century established a fund with a principal mission to improve the life of African Americans in this country.  The Fund’s greatest interest was rural education, and his partner in developing schools was Booker T Washington and the Tuskeegee Institute.  In addition, the Fund contributed support to a wide variety of artists, writers, poets, playwrights, teachers, journalists and others. The Julius Rosenwald Fund was designed to devote all its resources to philanthropy and ultimately, it gave away more than 70 million dollars, through 1948.

“This was so much fun,” said Ayomide Mustapha, one of the eighth grade participants. “I had never heard of any of these poets, but they were writing about people like me. I can’t wait to get a chance to do something like this again.”

A second Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project summer program between NJAI and the Rosa Parks School has begun, engaging 60 City of Orange Township students in the exploration of culture and art. The summer program is partially funded by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation.

West Orange Rotary Club Awards New Jersey Arts Incubator

West Orange Rotary Club Awards New Jersey Arts Incubator

West Orange, NJ – 6/28/10 – The West Orange Rotary Club awarded the New Jersey Arts Incubator with a Community Service Grant. The 2010 grant award is for the NJAI Summer Literacy Project part of the NJAI Arts Outreach Program.

The summer project, The Julius Rosewald Literacy Project, is a six- week program for 60 low and moderate income students, based on the exhibit A Force For Change at the Montclair Museum. Student will explore the written works and other artistic disciplines represented by the Rosewald Funded artists, and prepare a performance piece to present to the community.

“The Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project was incredibly successful this spring so we are reprising it for the summer project. We will provide our students an experience outside of their normal daily environment,” said NJAI Education Director Joseph Gardner. “Through their exploration of these funded artists the students will learn about the rich cultural experience of African Americans of this period and translated that to knowledge into performance that reflects their own lives.”

NJAI is committed to creating and supporting a partnership between art, education and communication. Professionals in the performing arts and arts development share their knowledge with students of all ages with a special emphasis on artistic programming for children of diverse cultures in low socio-economic backgrounds.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

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Open Call for Artist for Incubation Exhibit at Incubator Gallery Deadline July 10th

NJAI has the luck of the Irish on its side

Posted by West Orange Chronicle on June 2, 2010 at 4:41pm
By Mike Madden, Correspondent

Take away the bare white walls, the black foldable chairs, the recently installed carpet, and overhanging lights, and you would have thought you were enjoying a nice cold pint at the village pub.

On Friday, Essex Green played host to the fourth installment of the New Jersey Arts Incubator concert series, showcasing traditional Celtic music, just one of the many genres the NJAI has in store for the coming months. Friday was also a special night for the NJAI, bringing forth a newly…Read More

Interns and volunteers being recruited.

Do you have a keen interest in art projects that serve the development of artists and community, self motivated, reliable with excellent verbal communication skills, and social media skills? The administration of the New Jersey Arts Incubator is recruiting students at undergraduate and graduate levels, for credit or non-credit study for a ten month part-time internship with the NJAI.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

Open to 17 years of age +.

ALL POTENTIAL INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE EVALUATED WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, THE PRESENCE OF A NON-JOB RELATED HANDICAP OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.

Send in the application linked here and/or email info@njai.org for more information.

Gallery Internship Information can be found here.

NEW JERSEY ARTS INCUBATOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMY SIMON RECEIVES 2010 SHIRLEY CHISHOLM AWARD

West Orange, New Jersey, April 19, 2010 – Fifteen amazing women were honored with the 2010 Shirley Chisholm award during a lunch reception at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ this past Saturday.  In the category of Arts & Entertainment New Jersey Arts Incubator Executive Director Amy Simon proudly accepted this honor for her work in nurturing and developing the arts in New Jersey.

The spirit of Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress and a woman known for not just standing on the sidelines but implementing ideas, was felt in the room as these women were honored by New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D- 34th District), the first African-American woman in New Jersey’s history to be sworn in as Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly
Mistress of ceremonies Della Crews, Anchor, News 12 New Jersey, presented Ms. Simon with her award.

“It is a great honor to accept the Shirley Chisholm Award from a woman such as the Honorable Sheila Oliver, who embodies the ideals, and political approach of the late Congresswoman,” said Ms. Simon. “Art provides our State with solutions for our social and economic challenges. Now, more then ever, is the time support the Arts in New Jersey.”

As Executive Director of the non-profit New Jersey Arts Incubator Ms. Simon has spent the last three years stimulating the economy through developing artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance and education in an effort to support, sustain and promote viable arts agencies as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey. Last summer NJAI sponsored “A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Festival” along with the Essex Country Department of Parks and Cultural Affairs bringing thousands of people through Verona Park to support the arts and small business in New Jersey.  Operating out of donated space in Essex Green, West Orange, the New Jersey Arts incubator offers workshops, performances and art exhibitions monthly.

President of A Simon Says, LLC a Public and Community Relations and Media Management firm based in West Orange, New Jersey, and a principal of Accord Strategies LLC, a business development and compliance firm. Ms. Simon is also a member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a legislative aide to Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-27th District), a member of the Arts Build Community Initiative of the Rutgers Bloustein School, and serves on a number of other boards and committees.  She has most recently been recognized as a recipient of the 2008 NJ Biz New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business Award and the 2008 New Jersey State Jefferson Award.  A published author and editorial writer, radio host and television producer, Ms. Simon began her career as an actor and writer in New York City.

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Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-West Orange) and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey (D-South Orange) with Amy Simon, 2010 Shirly CHISHOLM Award recipient for arts & entertainment. Simon is the Executive Director of the NJ Arts Incubator. She was one of 15 awardees recognized for their accomplishments in various fields at the award ceremony on Saturday, Apr. 17th at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ.	Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-West Orange) with Amy Simon, 2010 Shirly CHISHOLM Award recipient for arts & entertainment. Simon is the Executive Director of the NJ Arts Incubator. She was one of 15 awardees recognized for their accomplishments in various fields at the award ceremony on Saturday, Apr. 17th at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ
Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-East Orange) and News12 reporter Della J. Crews with Amy Simon, 2010 Shirly CHISHOLM Award recipient for arts & entertainment. Simon is the Executive Director of the NJ Arts Incubator. She was one of 15 awardees recognized for their accomplishments in various fields at the award ceremony on Saturday, Apr. 17th at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ

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Photo Courtesy: Gita Bajaj, Office of Asm. John F. McKeon, NJ General Assembly (NJGA)

 

A Letter from Executive Director 2010-04-16

The New Jersey Arts Incubator as a living and breathing organism made up of the organic matter of, our artist facilitators in administration and disciplines, teaching and presenting artists, members and audiences, is constantly growing and changing, as a living thing is want to do. When faced with a ‘hostile’ environment, as this economy is, the organism is forced to adapt to survive. Thankfully, as the Executive Director, I have a background in the theatre where smoke, mirrors, and a roll of duct tape can make all things possible.

With this in mind, I’d like to gratefully announce that the economy must be recovering because our generous hosts at Essex Green, RREEF America Reit Corporation JJ has leased our space to a major retailer, and we must vacate by May 31st. NJAI is appreciative of the year we have spent at our location where we have built our organization and established it well within the artistic community.

Our success has lead to a number of offers to relocate and partner with other arts organizations, and the Board of Trustees are currently in discussion for what may turn out to be two wonderful locations, and an expansion of services. NJAI is focused on embracing one of the tenants of business management that we teach to our members. When unexpected challenges threaten to take you off course, look for an opportunity to not only survive, but to thrive as a result.

In the past year NJAI has produced an intensive 10-week workshop in acting, technical arts, broadcast media, and publicity, complete with a full production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed at the two-day ‘economic stimulus through the arts’ festival we produced at Verona Park last July. Nearly ten thousand people enjoyed the free event, 40 small and arts based businesses benefited from brisk sales, and dozens of actors, artists, and musicians were employed.

Three tremendous, and well received art exhibits have been featured in our Incubator Gallery, Harpantics performed in our performance space, poetry classes have been held with the South Mountain Poets. And the NJAI Outreach Program is working with the Rosa Parks School in Orange and the Montclair Museum on a performance piece for the A Force for Change, African American Art and the Julius Rosenwald Fund, exhibit. The Fourth Friday Music Series will still premier on the 23rd of April.

There are two business development/life skills seminars, musical theater acting classes for children, with a focus on how to become a professional young actor, and playwriting classes also scheduled to begin. The Incubator Gallery has a call out for the next exhibit Peripheral Field. These dates have been slightly postponed and are expected to be posted with an early June start date.

Look for an announcement before the end of April with news of an exciting grand re-opening, new partnerships, and revised program schedule. Until then, Power of Nine and Julie Joy Saypoff is on display in the gallery until Sunday, May 9th. A Haiku Workshop will be held on Thursday, April 22nd, and Red Reynes and Mike Rocket and the Stars perform on Friday, April 23rd. See our website calendar for details and tickets.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator will adapt and thrive as we traverse these new challenges, and we welcome all of you to support us, and participate in, this great opportunity.

Yours truly,
Amy Simon
Executive Director
NJAI Inc.

NJAI Offers a Variety of Programming to Welcome Spring

West Orange, New Jersey, March 16, 2010- The New Jersey Arts Incubator announces its April lineup of events for the community to enjoy. Visual art, music and children’s programming is all on the bill to welcome spring!

To kick things off, our children are the focus when the New Jersey Arts Incubator Presents Musical Theatre Classes for Children beginning April 10^th. Classes for 4-6 year-olds will feature Fairytales, Stories and Rhymes.  Saturday classes from 10am- 11am begin April 10th. Classes for 7-12 year olds will feature both classical and contemporary literature and will run Saturdays from 11:30am-1pm.   Each workshop will culminate with a performance program in the NJAI Theater. These 12 week programs run April 10 – June 12 and cost $275 per student. Interview required. Call 973-669-0602 for an appointment.  http://www.njai.org/

The third art installation, curated by Lorena La Grassa, will be on display in the NJAI Gallery beginning April 11^th.  “The Power of Nine” features the work of nine professional women artists.  The exhibit reflects a patchwork of combined art – a result of several years of collaboration.  The pieces are arranged in the form/design of patchwork quilts.  Each panel is 6’x6’ in size, composed of nine 24”x24” canvases.  Also on display will be sculptures by New Jersey artist Julie Joy Saypoff. As an abstract sculptor, Julie’s goal is to enable the viewer to visualize a specific emotional energy based on the gesture of a piece. Opening reception to meet the artists will be April 11^th from 2-5 pm. The exhibit will run through May 8th. Gallery hours are Saturday & Sunday, 1-5PM, by appointment, and open during other NJAI scheduled programming.

On April 23^rd NJAI will present the first of their music series Fourth Friday Music Showcase, featuring Mike Rocket and the Stars, with opening act Red Reyne.  Doors open at 7:30 PM, Donation $10. Mike Rocket And The Stars is a rock, pop, and Americana band based in West Orange, NJ. Their music has been heard on national television and on major New York, New Jersey, & Philadelphia radio stations. www.mikerocket.com.  Red Reyne is from North Jersey (Hunterdon County).  Redentor Jimenez (a.k.a. Red Reyne) was born in the Philippines immigrating to New Jersey when he was 10.  A prolific songwriter and musician, Red is ear-trained and has been performing, writing and playing guitar for over 20 years. www.redreyne.com This new music series will run each fourth Friday through July and will showcase various styles and cultures by New Jersey based musicians.

All events will take place at the New Jersey Arts Incubator studio, 495 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ.

You can download the press release here.

NJAI Spring 2010 Press Release.

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