October in New Jersey celebrates art, culture, and creativity! This month, the spotlight shines on two major events: Discover Jersey Arts Month and Hoboken Art Month.
This year, Governor Phil Murphy officially declared October “Discover Jersey Arts Month.”
It’s the perfect time to spotlight New Jersey’s arts scene, which contributes a massive $532.2 million to the state’s economy each year.
That’s right—the arts extend far beyond galleries and theaters.
In fact, they’re an economic powerhouse that supports nearly 10,000 jobs and enriches our neighborhoods in ways we often overlook.
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts have teamed up to bring this celebration to life, aligning it with National Arts and Humanities Month.
They’re inviting all New Jerseyans to get out there, explore the local scene, and see firsthand how much our arts community offers.
Now, let’s talk numbers because they really highlight just how much the arts matter here.
According to the latest Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study from Americans for the Arts, New Jersey’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated an impressive $532.2 million in economic activity in fiscal year 2022.
That breaks down to $338.4 million spent directly by arts organizations. And another $193.8 million comes from event-related spending by people who attended those events.
This spending helps support nearly 10,000 jobs and generates $116.9 million in tax revenue for local, state, and federal governments.
So, as we can see, the arts are a serious economic driver.
Besides the money, arts bring a sense of pride to our neighborhoods.
The same AEP6 study found that a whopping 87.2% of people believe the arts are a key part of what makes their communities special.
And 84.8% said they’d feel the loss if their local arts venues suddenly disappeared.
Thus, it’s clear that art is a vital part of what makes life in New Jersey so unique and vibrant.
Adam Perle, the President and CEO of ArtPride New Jersey, said it well: the arts don’t just entertain us; they improve our quality of life and bring real value to the state.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts awards more than 900 grants to support the arts each year.
So, Discover Jersey Arts Month is the perfect time to show how much these efforts matter and encourage more people to enjoy and support the arts.
If you want to explore the arts this month, visit JerseyArts.com.
It has a full list of events, performances, and exhibitions happening in October. It’s a simple way to find out what’s going on near you and get involved in the arts.
But wait, there’s more!
Hoboken is also joining in with its own celebration—Hoboken Art Month. This five-week event shows off the city’s arts and cultural heritage.
The City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) have made this happen.
The goal is to connect local artists, businesses, and the community through events everyone can enjoy.
Hoboken Art Month has something for everyone, whether you’re a local or just visiting. Throughout October, the city will be full of art, live performances, and fun activities.
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla is proud of this effort, saying it shows Hoboken’s support for public art and helps the local economy.
He invites everyone to join in and see what Hoboken’s creative scene offers.
Here’s a taste of what you can expect during Hoboken Art Month:
- Music in Motion: Live music performances every Tuesday starting October 8th from 6 PM to 7 PM at the Hoboken Terminal, in partnership with NJ TRANSIT.
- Art Workshops: Free art workshops are hosted every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Hoboken Public Library, covering a range of creative techniques like modern calligraphy, fluid art, and pastels. Registration can be completed online.
- Performing Arts Events: Residents can enjoy live dance and theater performances at Sinatra Park Amphitheater on October 10th, 24th, and 31st from 12 PM to 1 PM.
- Storefront Art Walk: A self-guided tour allows visitors to explore Hoboken’s public art installations and vibrant storefront displays.
- Artist in Residence Community Art Workshops: These sessions, held every Tuesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at Fox Hill Gardens and the Hoboken Public Library, invite participants to help create a crochet mural installation, with no registration required for Fox Hill Gardens.
- Artists’ Studio Tour: This self-guided tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the studios of Hoboken’s artists. Details of the tour stops will be released in the coming weeks.
Hoboken Art Month is a wonderful way for families, artists, and the community to enjoy the city’s artistic energy.
With live performances, interactive workshops, and much more, it’s an opportunity for people to come together through art.
New Jersey is lucky to have such a rich cultural scene, and October is the perfect time to celebrate it.
Between Discover Jersey Arts Month and Hoboken Art Month, there’s no shortage of events, performances, and opportunities to get involved.
The arts unite people, create pride in our neighborhoods, and contribute to a healthy economy.
As you explore everything these celebrations offer, you’re helping keep the arts strong in our communities.
For more details about these celebrations and how to participate, visit JerseyArts.com and ArtPrideNJ.org.