Follow the success of our NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking graduates!
We are happy to share the latest updates regarding their exciting new roles and related groundbreaking work!
Registration for the Spring, 2024 class opens on July 1st.
Last month, our NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking graduate, Natalie Zaman assumed the position of Executive Director of the Hunterdon County Cultural Heritage Commission. Hunterdon County cultural resources have been expanding steadily over the past decade in this beautiful rural NJ county which is steeped in fascinating history. Natalie, who most recently served the Somerset County Arts and Cultural Heritage Commission, initially as Local History Program Grant Coordinator and for the past four years as Program Director, brings her immense creative skills in arts and storytelling to Hunterdon County. She is well-poised to lead arts, culture and design integration into the community and economic well-being growth in the fertile soil of Hunterdon County.
The NJEDA has announced a groundbreaking pilot program for Newark and Atlantic City. Developed by NJEDA Chief of Community Development, Tai Cooper, the program entitled: A.R.T. was conceptualized as Tai’s community-engaged practicum piece of the NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking. A.R.T. (Activation, Revitalization, Transformation) provides supportive funding to “drive meaningful community engagement by convening local (real estate) developers and artists with the business community” to activate and transform public spaces. Find pilot program details here. See the announcement from NJ Spotlight News.
Update: The application period is open. You may find out details here. And an information video about this program is available here.
Two pieces of Adebunmi Gbadebo’s sculpture is featured in a current exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit entitled: “Hear Me Now”, The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina is receiving widespread attention and runs at the museum until Feb., 2023. After that time, it will be part of a traveling exhibit to major museums across the US. During Adbunmi’s participation in NJIT’s Certificate in Creative Placemaking course, students were introduced to the concepts of “Creative Placekeeping.” This practice is based on honoring and building upon the cultural history of a community. “Adebunmi’s” work is crafted from black hair and clay from the True Blue Plantation cemetery where her slave ancestors’ remains are buried. Hear Adebunmi’s description of her works here.
Our Certificate Holders Lead successful efforts in grant funding!November 2021 |
During the summer, after having received congressional approval and awarding of ARPA funds, the National Endowment for the Arts sent out a far-reaching RFP (request for proposal) to arts agencies across the 50 states, in the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The $20 million pool of funds were available for several uses including for sub-granting directly for arts organizations. This was an unusual step as normally, the NEA funds state agencies for sub-granting to local arts agencies. However, for this funding, local agencies could apply directly for regranting to their constituent arts organizations.
This open funding had "no match" requirement (often a major deterrent for local agencies) and as a result, was massively over-subscribed. There were literally thousands of proposals! Only 66 local agencies were awarded funding. Agencies led by NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking graduates were among those 66! Michelle Isabelle-Stark is the director of Arlington (VA) Cultural Affairs, and Kaitlin Bundy (Manager), and Natalie Zaman (Program Coordinator) lead the Somerset County (NJ) Cultural and Heritage Commission. Each agency received $150,000 for sub-granting to their area arts and cultural organizations! With great pride, we applaud the exceptional and successful leadership efforts of our students as they continue to bolster their constituent arts organizations through the pandemic!
For information on previous and upcoming NEA grants, click here
On Labor Day weekend, 2021, NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking graduate, Meghan O’Toole, realized the community-engaged field practicum that she had begun to develop during our course. Originally, she had intended to create a small demonstration project, but through her inspired efforts and leadership, she developed a 4-day demonstration arts festival. The purpose of her Imagine! Festival was to demonstrate how an underutilized civic plaza skatepark could become an Arts Park. This video highlights just a few of the myriad artistic expressions shared over the four days.
See the press announcement of the event: https://rb.gy/dt8qcs http://https://rb.gy/dt8qcs See the full event schedule: https://rb.gy/rizaxe See more about "The Civic Social" dance development-Mark Schmidt and Remi Harris: https://www.remitharris.com/
NJIT Certificate in Creative Placemaking graduate, Tamara Contreras shares updates on the field practicum she began as part of the course. Tamara created this video detailing her field practicum planning and efforts conducted during and following NJIT's Certificate in Creative Placemaking course of study. Enjoy learning about "Forward Franklin";
Today, Tamara continues her work as community organizer for “Forward Franklin” where her team is planning a creative placemaking initiative for the Franklin Pond. Shortly after graduation, a new position was created for her as ‘Community Health Worker’ at the Newton Hospital for the Atlantic Health Systems. In Dec. 21, Tamara was recruited by the Center for Prevention and Counseling to become their Wallkill Valley Coalition Coordinator. This new position gives Tamara the opportunity to create programs and provide training for 6-12 graders in 5 regional school systems as well as collaborate across numerous sectors to create and implement solutions addressing substance abuse.
Recent CPC graduate, Kate O'Malley, has been named Interim CEO of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation. ACAF serves the artists, the arts and the community in Atlantic City primarily through public artworks and community-engaged arts. 3 primary programs of ACAF are 48 Blocks/AC, Arteriors, and Chalk About. In addition, ACAF hosts community forums and engages with local galleries. Kate is a young, dynamic and committed arts leader who is sure to effectuate enormous strides in making Atlantic City a place of community pride and civic self-esteem through activations in public art. Read more about Kate and this fine organization here.
From our Spring, 2022 cohort of graduates, Talia L. Young is appointed Interim CEO of Newark's historic Symphony Hall. This cultural icon in the heart of NJ's largest city has been enjoying a revival and restoration as a civic cultural gem. Talia assumes this role at a critical time when the groundwork has been laid by the outgoing CEO, Taneshia Nash Laird. Talia's significant experience in government and public relations, economic equity building and project and policy management puts her on solid footing to lead ongoing expansion and development of Newark Symphony Hall as a central place for economic vitality and community pride. Read the full announcement from ROI-NJ.
