Four New Jersey community-based organizations (CBOs) recently received funding to collaborate with regional artists on projects aimed at communicating climate risks to the public. This initiative was made possible through funding awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Coastal Management Program (CMP).
Since 2019, the CMP has partnered with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council) to develop and implement a Community-Based Art Grant Program. This program, part of a larger risk communications campaign, addresses the need to involve and inform the public about coastal hazard impacts and actions they can take to reduce their risk.
“The Arts Council has been a partner with the CMP since the inception of the program,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the State Arts Council. “We applaud both NOAA and the DEP for taking the opportunity to capitalize on the unique ability of artists and art to connect communities around issues of climate resilience and risk.”
The CBOs and artists work together to address themes of climate resilience and coastal flooding through original, site-specific artwork and community engagement events. The purpose is to engage communities in new ways, increasing awareness and understanding of flooding risks in coastal zones while introducing other risk communication tools produced by CMP.
"Since launching in 2019, it has been incredibly exciting to see local artists, community organizations, climate scientists, and municipalities come together," said Nick Angarone, NJ Chief Resilience Officer. "This program enables these groups to bring shared knowledge to the public through innovative art projects."
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way expressed her support: “I’m honored to work closely with the State Arts Council in their mission... I look forward to seeing these installations created over coming months.”
Planned projects include:
- **Artworks Trenton**: Artist Harun Zankel will create hand-lettered collaged signs with actionable messaging installed in public spaces.
- **Monmouth Arts**: Artist Allison Hunter will produce "Monmouth Beach Rising," a multimedia event featuring video content capturing bay area water.
- **Perkins Center for the Arts**: Artist Jin Jung will use a Crankie Box and light projections detailing flooding along Delaware and Rancocas Rivers.
- **WheatonArts**: Artist Kristen Neville Taylor will create an exhibition titled Moon, Weather, Emotions exploring sea level rise in Southern New Jersey.
For more information on these projects:
- Artworks Trenton - Tishara Linares marketing@artworkstrenton.org
- Perkins Center for the Arts - Kristen Horneff at Segel Associates kristen@segelassociates.com
- WheatonArts - Taral Thompson tthompson@wheatonarts.org
- Monmouth Arts - Teresa Staub Teresa@monmoutharts.org
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts was established in 1966 as a division of NJ Department of State. It encourages public interest in arts; promotes freedom of expression; facilitates inclusion of art in public buildings; among other goals central to modern society such as cultural pride, strong communities, excellent schools, lifelong learning, creative expression; economic opportunity.
For more information about their initiatives visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov
