(NEWARK, NJ) -- Are you an artist or organization in the greater Newark area?  Do you have an idea to start a community project, collaborate with a local organization or start an arts education program? If so, you may be eligible to receive funding from Newark Arts. 

Applications for the annual mini-grant program, ArtStart, will open at midnight on Sunday, January 26, 2020. ArtStart provides funding to organizations and individuals to create music, dance, theatre, film, visual and literary art projects that benefit the residents and neighborhoods of Newark. Winning proposals will be awarded grants ranging up to $3,000 each. 

Download an application at Newarkarts.org/ArtStart beginning on January 26, 2020. For more information and application guidelines, please visit NewarkArts.org/ArtStart.

“In 2019, we aimed to top the previous year in granting, and we did just that. We were delighted to award more than 30 grants totaling over $100,000, which was an increase in both the number of awardees and the total amount awarded,” said Newark Arts Executive Director Jeremy Johnson. “In 2020, we are looking to award creative new proposals that will provide major impact in our communities. We are also excited about the work that is already happening here in Newark, every day, and want to support the great programming that we may not be aware of.”

ArtStart was established in 2001, with the mission to nurture arts and cultural activities throughout the city of Newark, especially for youth and under-served populations. Since its inception, Newark Arts has made over 200 ArtStart grants, totaling more than $500,000. 

ArtStart has funded schools of music and dance, local galleries, film and book projects, programs for children and seniors, and multidisciplinary community initiatives including neighborhood development plans. 

Funding for ArtStart has been provided by Prudential Foundation, Bank of America, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the Turrell Fund.