Heidi Latsky Dance
(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The New Jersey Theatre Alliance (the Alliance) and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts proudly celebrated the annual Excellence in Cultural Access Awards on May 30, 2024, at the picturesque Grounds For Sculpture. This esteemed event honored exceptional contributions to arts accessibility across the state.
Award Recipients:
* Champion Award: Mary Eileen Fouratt, Asbury Park. Presented for her tireless advocacy and leadership in arts accessibility during her previous tenures at Monmouth Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Her collaborative spirit and innovative solutions have significantly advanced arts access across New Jersey.
* Leadership Award: Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park and Sea Girt. They were recognized for its comprehensive ADA plan and commitment to accessibility. The Festival's features, such as closed captioning, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation, set a high standard for inclusivity in cinematic experiences
* Innovator Awards: Directors' Ink Creative Arts Center, Mays Landing; Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton; Morris County Park Commission. Directors' Ink Creative Arts Center was honored for its "Paint Through Pain" program, which uses art as a therapeutic tool for youth facing emotional and physical challenges. Grounds For Sculpture received recognition for their Cloud Swing installation, a public art piece designed to include people of all abilities.
The Awards are presented as part of the Cultural Access Network Project (CAN), a program of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. Formed more than 30 years ago, CAN provides a wide range of services and programs to assist theatres and cultural organizations in making their programs and facilities accessible to seniors and people with disabilities.
Grounds For Sculpture Receives Innovator Award
John McEwen, Executive Director of the Alliance, and Lindsay Dandeo, Access Coordinator at the Arts Council, welcomed attendees with heartfelt remarks, emphasizing the significance of the event and the ongoing commitment of both organizations to making the arts accessible to all. McEwen stated, "Today's event celebrates all of you who touch so many hearts with your commitment to ensure the beauty of the arts can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone. Together, we are on a journey to continue our work in securing New Jersey as one of the most respected states in the nation for its arts community’s dedication and innovation to making arts and culture accessible to all."
The event featured a keynote address by Kelly Boyd, Access and Functional Needs Planner for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, who spoke on the critical importance of including people with disabilities in emergency preparedness planning. Her insights were invaluable to the attendees, emphasizing the necessity of proactive measures to protect all community members.
A unique highlight of the day was the art experience ON DISPLAY by Heidi Latsky Dance. This captivating presentation of human sculptures by New York’s largest physically integrated dance company underscored the event's theme of inclusivity and beauty in diversity.
The event concluded with a luncheon and further networking opportunities, allowing attendees to share experiences and strategies for continuing their vital work in cultural accessibility.
Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, remarked, "The dedication and innovation displayed by this year's award recipients exemplify the spirit of inclusivity we strive for in New Jersey's arts community. Their efforts not only enrich the cultural landscape but also ensure that the arts remain accessible to all. We are proud to support such groundbreaking work."
Garden State Film Festival Receives Leadership Award
For more information about the Excellence in Cultural Access Awards, please visit the Alliance website.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity.
Founded in 1981, New Jersey Theatre Alliance (the Alliance) is the only statewide service organization for professional, not-for-profit theatre companies in the United States, and is a leader in developing model programs that unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate professional theatre in New Jersey. The Alliance advances the theatre community by developing innovative, collaborative, and engaging programs and services for member theatres and their diverse audiences. The Alliance envisions a field that is flourishing, collaborative, and equitable for artists, administrators, member theatres, organizations, and audiences.
Funding for the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, is provided in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and contributions from numerous individuals, corporations, and foundations including The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Grunin Foundation, MidAtlanic Arts Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, RSI Foundation, City National Bank, The Shubert Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Hyde and Watson Foundation, The F.M. Kirby Foundation, E.J. Grassmann Trust, The Union Foundation, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance, and OceanFirst Foundation.
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