Burlington County arts organizations will receive a lift thanks to action by the county commissioners to boost the grants available for local arts programming, activities and special events.
The commissioners voted last month to add $250,000 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to increase the grants available from the Burlington County Local Arts Grants Program. The additional money will supplement funding the county receives from the New Jersey Arts Council and will allow the grants program to raise its maximum amount to $30,000, up from the previous $16,000.
Applications for the 2024 grant cycle are available online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1346/Arts and must be submitted by Thursday, Aug. 31, to receive consideration.
Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, the liaison to the Burlington County Department of Resource Conservation and Parks, noted that the county investment in the arts assists local artists and performers and helps generate economic growth for local businesses.
“The arts serve as economic drivers for our downtowns and local communities,” she said. “They provide jobs and attract visitors and investment, and help keep our county culturally engaging.
“Our investments in the arts help bring people together and create stronger, more vibrant communities.”