New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund
Lynne Toye is the inaugural Executive Director of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund. In her role, she oversees the Fund’s grantmaking and leads its fundraising and strategy. The Fund is a public-private collaboration led by Ms. Toye in partnership with the Fund’s Steering Committee. Ms. Toye’s professional experience includes leadership roles in nonprofit administration and higher education. Prior to assuming her role with the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, she was the Chief Administrative Officer at Harlem School of the Arts. Ms. Toye earned a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. She is a proud New Jersey resident and has been involved with New Jersey arts and culture organizations for nearly 30 years.
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund was originally named the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. It was established in 2020 to ensure the survival, strength and sustainability of the state’s arts, cultural and historical sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund has awarded $6.7 Million to 192 organizations. The first phase of the Fund closed in January 2021, awarding $2.6 million to 100 NJ-based nonprofits statewide. The second phase of grantmaking closed in May 2021, awarding $1.3 million to more than 60 nonprofits throughout the state. The third phase of grantmaking closed in February 2022, awarding nearly $600,000 to 15 nonprofits for regranting to artists, teaching artists, and history professionals. A fourth round of grantmaking closed in July of 2022 and awarded $2.2 Million in unrestricted grants to 97 organizations.
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund changed its name to The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund on April 1, 2022. The Fund’s Steering Committee opted for this change to more accurately reflect the mission of the Fund and the scope of its work.
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund will continue to support the arts, cultural, and historical sector through equitable grantmaking to smaller nonprofit organizations most vulnerable to sector disruptions. The Fund offers fast, flexible funding focused on nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is either arts and culture, arts education, or history and whose budgets are $5 million or less. The Fund prioritizes organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and those that have made a demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion in their work.
The name change from “Recovery” to “Renewal” signals the Fund’s Support of a strong comeback for smaller arts and culture organizations and funding for a sustainable future. The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund will provide a “safety net” for the sector as it emerges from the pandemic and fortifies for unknown challenges that lie ahead.
- Stabilize the sector with immediate, unrestricted grants to organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19 statewide.
- Make grants that offset unplanned capital improvement expenses required to comply with new health and safety protocols.
- Help arts, cultural and historical organizations maintain essential functions, retain core staff, and restructure as needed.
- Support organizations that strategically assist artists and sector professionals in meeting basic, life-sustaining needs.
- Position New Jersey’s arts, cultural and historical sector to survive the economic crisis and contribute to statewide recovery in the innovative ways the public expects and that only the arts, culture and history can.
- Contribute to an equitable recovery for the sector and the State as a whole.
Hundreds of nonprofit arts, cultural and historical organizations and thousands of artists and sector workers have sustained catastrophic financial losses that threaten irreparable damage. New Jersey’s cultural industry has sustained losses of more than $30 million due to pandemic related closures and cancelations. Institutions, some of which have been serving New Jersey communities for decades, have exhausted reserves, laid off staff, depleted endowments, and increased debt.
New Jersey’s cultural industries – when open and thriving – are essential components of our state and local economies. Nonprofit arts organizations generate more than $600 million in economic activity, employ nearly 30,000 workers, and engage more than 9.5 million people who stay in hotels, and eat and shop locally, all year round. Millions of dollars are spent through heritage tourism annually, and thousands of jobs are created to accommodate visitors who explore New Jersey’s rich role in history.
While business as it was before COVID-19 came to a screeching halt, these same arts and history groups, as well as individual artists continued working, many without pay, to offer relief and hope for residents of all ages, including many of our most vulnerable populations. As we emerge from the pandemic, cultural organizations offer opportunities for connection, stress relief, healing, learning, and much needed entertainment. Many also serve as community anchors, capitalizing on strategic partnerships and innovative programs that intersect with vital social services.
The recovery of the creative sector and heritage tourism lags behind the recovery of other sectors in New Jersey, even as restrictions ease. The sector at large has suffered devastating losses, including some permanent closures – and the threat of a pandemic resurgence looms. With support, the sector can thrive and continue to offer connection, resilience and renewal now and into the future.
The Arts and Culture Renewal Fund (originally called the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund) was created by a coalition of funders to raise and direct much needed support to the nonprofit arts and cultural sector statewide. The fund was established with a lead gift from the Grunin Foundation and is hosted by the Princeton Area Community Foundation. Coalition leadership also includes the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Prudential Financial Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Historical Commission, and Stone Foundation of NJ. Ongoing communication with leaders in government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector has created a cooperative network of public and private support and ensures the Fund’s alignment with the sector as needs change and evolve.
For more information contact: Lynne Toye, Executive Director.
Atlantic County
- Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City
- Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Atlantic City
- Atlantic City Ballet, Atlantic City
- Bay Atlantic Symphony, Atlantic City
Bergen County
- The Art School at Old Church, Demarest
- Arts Horizons, Englewood
- Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Inc., Fort Lee
- Center for Modern Dance Education, Hackensack
Burlington County
- Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Browns Mills
- ArtPride New Jersey, Burlington
- Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown
- Moorestown Theater Company, Moorestown
- Alice Paul Institute, Mount Laurel
Camden County
- Mainstage Center for the Arts, Blackwood
- Camden FireWorks, Camden
- Camden Repertory Theater Community Development, Camden
- Mighty Writers, Camden
Cape May County
- Cape May Stage, Cape May
- Historic Cold Spring Village Foundation, Cape May
Cumberland County
- Millville Army Airfield Museum, Millville
- Bayshore Center at Bivalve, Port Norris section of Commercial Township
Essex County
- Friends of Yogi, Little Falls
- Jazz House Kids., Montclair
- Montclair Film Festival, Montclair
- Music Beyond Measure, Montclair
- Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Montclair
- Studio Montclair Gallery, Montclair
- Vanguard Theater Company, Montclair
- Arts Ed Newark, Newark
- Gallery Aferro, Newark
- Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Newark
- Newark Arts, Newark
- Newark Boys Chorus School, Newark
- Newark School of the Arts, Newark
- New Jersey Historical Society, Newark
- Project for Empty Space, Newark
- Trilogy: An Opera Company, Newark
- University of Orange, Orange
- Luna Stage, West Orange
- Arts for Kids, West Orange
- Pushcart Players, Verona
Hudson County
- Mile Square Theatre, Hoboken
- Art House Productions, Jersey City
- Educational Arts Team, Jersey City
- Nimbus Dance, Jersey City
- Jersey City Theater Center, Jersey City
- Union City Music Project, Union City
Hunterdon County
- Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton
- Roxey Ballet Company, Lambertville
Mercer County
- Trenton Children’s Chorus, Ewing
- Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
- Historic Morven, Princeton
- The Princeton Festival, Princeton
- Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania, Princeton
- Artworks Trenton, Trenton
- Capital Singers of Trenton, Trenton
- Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts Society, Trenton
- New Jersey Capital Philharmonic, Trenton
- Old Barracks Association, Trenton
- Passage Theatre Company, Trenton
- Trenton Circus Squad, Trenton
- Trenton Museum Society, Trenton
- Trenton Music Makers, Trenton
- Westrick Music Academy, Princeton Junction section of West Windsor
- West Windsor Arts Center, West Windsor
Middlesex County
- American Theater Group, East Brunswick
- coLAB Arts, New Brunswick
- Crossroads Theatre Company, New Brunswick
- Hub City Jazz Festival, New Brunswick
- Dance New Jersey, Sewaren section of Woodbridge
Monmouth County
- Asbury Park Music Foundation, Asbury Park
- Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal
- New Jersey Repertory Company, Long Branch
- Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan
- Rockit Live Foundation, Middletown
- Middletown Township Cultural & Arts Council, Middletown
- Monmouth Arts, Red Bank
- The Garden State Film Festival, Sea Girt
Morris County
- New Jersey Ballet Company, Florham Park
- Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
- Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains
- ARTS By The People, Morristown
- Morris Arts, Morristown
- New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Morristown
- The Growing Stage Theatre for Young Audiences, Netcong
Ocean County
- Barnegat Bay Decoy & Baymen’s Museum, Tuckerton
Passaic County
- Botto House American Labor Museum, Haledon
- Hamilton Partnership for Paterson, Paterson
- Inner City Ensemble, Paterson
Salem County
- Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, Elmer
Somerset County
- The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
- Frontline Arts, Branchburg
- Arts Ed NJ, Warren
Sussex County
- Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton
Union County
- Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth
- Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway
- Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble, Roselle
- Continuo Arts Foundation, Summit
- Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit
- Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Union
- The Theater Project, Union
Atlantic County
- Eagle Theatre, Hammonton
- South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Hammonton
- MudGirls Studios, Linwood
Bergen County
- CavanKerry Press, Fort Lee
- Epitome of Soul, Ridgewood
- Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, River Edge
Burlington County
- West Jersey Music Academy, Moorestown
- Roebling Museum, Roebling section of Florence Township
Camden County
- Camden County Historical Society, Camden
- IDEA Center for the Arts , Camden
- The Nick Virgilio Haiku Association, Camden
- Symphony in C, Collingswood
Cape May County
- Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, Cape May
Cumberland County
- Millville Development Corporation, Millville
- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
Essex County
- ArtsPower, Cedar Grove
- Montclair History Center, Montclair
- Talking Eyes Media, Montclair
- The Montclair Orchestra, Montclair
- Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
- Barat Foundation, Newark
- Newark Performing Arts Corporation, Newark
- Newark Print Shop, Newark
- ValleyArts, Orange
- Lydia Johnson Dance, South Orange
- South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Gloucester County
- Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury
Hunterdon County
- ACME Screening Room, Lambertville
Hudson County
- Hoboken Historical Museum, Hoboken
- Ariel Rivka Dance, Jersey City
- Kennedy Dancers, Jersey City
- RiverviewJazz.Org, Jersey City
- Speranza Theatre Company, Jersey City
- Surati for Performing Arts, Jersey City
- Victory Hall, Jersey City
- The Grace Theatre Workshop, Union City
- Hudson Theatre Works, Weehawken
Mercer County
- Hopewell Valley Arts Council, Hopewell
- People & Stories / Gente y Cuentos, Lawrenceville
- Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton
- Princeton Ballet Society, Princeton
- Storytelling Arts, Princeton Junction section of West Windsor
- Preservation New Jersey, Trenton
Middlesex County
- George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick
- Lazos America Unida, New Brunswick
Monmouth County
- Asbury Park Arts Council, Asbury Park
- Holiday Express, Eatontown
- Allaire Village, Farmingdale
- Monmouth County Historical Association, Freehold
- Twin Lights Historical Society, Highlands
- Holmdel Theatre Company, Holmdel
- Monmouth Museum, Lincroft section of Middletown
- Ocean Grove Historic Preservation / Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove section of Neptune
- Jazz Arts Project, Red Bank
- Phoenix Productions, Red Bank
Morris County
- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Florham Park
Ocean County
- Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
- Brick Children’s Community Theatre, Brick
- Exit 82 Theatre Company, Toms River
Somerset County
- All Children’s Art Center of NJ, Bound Brook
Sussex County
- Save Ellis Island, Augusta section of Frankford Township
Union County
- Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights
- DuCretSchool of Art, Plainfield
- People Helping People, Rahway
- Music For all Seasons, Scotch Plains
- New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, Summit
- NJ Festival Orchestra, Westfield
Warren County
- Blairstown Live-Arts, Blairstown
Atlantic County
- Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Atlantic City
- South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Hammonton
Camden County
- Superior Arts Institute, Camden
Essex County
- Newark Arts, Newark
- Project for Empty Space, Newark
Hudson County
- Art House Productions, Jersey City
- Riverview Jazz, Jersey City
Mercer County
- Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania, Princeton
Middlesex County
- Dance New Jersey, Sewaren section of Woodbridge
Monmouth County
- Jazz Arts Project, Inc., Red Bank
- Monmouth Arts, Red Bank
- New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Allenhurst
Morris County
- Art in the Atrium, Morristown
Somerset County
- League of Historical Societies of NJ, Bridgewater
Sussex County
- Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton
Atlantic County
- Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Atlantic City
- Inlet Public Private Association Inc., dba Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City
- MudGirls Studios, Linwood
Bergen County
- Arts Horizons, Englewood
- CavanKerry Press, Fort Lee
- Epitome of Soul, Ridgewood
- MarbleJam Kids Inc, Hackensack
- Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Inc, Fort Lee
- The Art School at Old Church, Demarest
Burlington County
- ArtPride New Jersey, Burlington
- Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown
- Roebling Museum, Roebling
- West Jersey Music Academy, Moorestown
Camden County
- Camden FireWorks, Camden
- IDEA Center for the Arts, Camden
- Ritz Theatre Company, Inc, Haddon Township
- Superior Arts Institute, Camden
Cape May County
- Greater Cape May Historical Society, Cape May
Cumberland County
- Bayshore Center at Bivalve, Port Norris
- Levoy Theatre Preservation Society, Millville
- Millville Development Corporation, Millville
- Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, Millville
- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
Essex County
- Arts Ed Newark/Newark Arts, Newark
- Arts for Kids Inc, West Orange
- Barat Foundation, Newark
- GlassRoots, Newark
- Ivy Hill Vailsburg Center for Arts Culture and Community Activism, Newark
- Jazz House Kids Inc, Montclair
- Luna Stage, West Orange
- Montclair Film, Montclair
- Newark Boys Chorus School, Newark
- Newark Public Radio, Newark
- Newark School of the Arts, Newark
- Project for Empty Space, Newark
- Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Inc, Montclair
- Trilogy an Opera Company, Newark
- University of Orange, Orange
- Vanguard Theater Company, Montclair
Hudson County
- Art House Productions, Jersey City
- Educational Arts Team, Jersey City
- Jersey City Arts Council, Jersey City
- Jersey City Theater Center, Jersey City
- Kennedy Dancers, Inc., Jersey City
- Nimbus Dance, Jersey City
- Riverview Jazz, Jersey City
- Speranza Theatre Company, Jersey City
- Surati for Performing Arts, Jersey City
- The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc, Union City
- Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Hoboken
- Union City Music Project, Inc, Union City
- Victory Hall Inc, Jersey City
Hunterdon County
- ACME Screening Room, Lambertville
- Roxey Ballet Company, Frenchtown
Mercer County
- Art Against Racism A NJ Nonprofit, Princeton
- Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
- Artworks Trenton Inc, Trenton
- Capital Singers of Trenton, Trenton
- Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts Society, Trenton
- Hopewell Valley Arts of Council, Hopewell
- James R Halsey Foundation of the Arts, Trenton
- Passage Theatre Company, Trenton
- Storytelling Arts, Inc, Princeton Junction
- Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra, Princeton
- Trent House Association, Trenton
- Trenton Circus Squad, Trenton
- Trenton Music Makers, Trenton
- West Windsor Arts Center, Princeton Junction
- Westrick Music Academy, Princeton Junction
- Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania, Princeton
Middlesex County
- American Theater Group, East Brunswick
- coLAB Arts, New Brunswick
- Crossroads Theatre Company, New Brunswick
- Raices Cultural Center, New Brunswick
- American Theater Group, East Brunswick
Monmouth County
- Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park
- Jazz Arts Project, Inc., Red Bank
- New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Allenhurst
Morris County
- ARTS By The People, Morristown
- Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
- The New Jersey Play Lab, Randolph
- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Florham Park
Ocean County
- Barnegat Bay Decoy & Baymen’s Museum, Tuckerton
- John F Peto Studio Museum, Island Heights
Passaic County
- Friends of Yogi, Inc, Little Falls
- Inner City Ensemble, Paterson
Salem County
- Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, Elmer
Somerset County
- Arts Ed NJ, Warren
Sussex County
- Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton
Union County
- Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Union
- Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Summit
- Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth
- Keys 2 Success, New Providence
- People Helping People, Inc, Rahway
- The Theater Project, Union
- Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit
- Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights
Funding Partners To Date
Thank you to all our partners who have come together to support the arts, culture and history community with over $8 million raised thus far for the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund.
Grants Center
Lynne Toye, Executive Director of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, writes about the volunteer shortage faced by arts organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For more information or support, please contact:
Lynne Toye
Executive Director, New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund
Email Lynne Toye
For media inquiries please contact Michelle Sahn, Director of Communications
Email Michelle Sahn