New Jersey Theatre Alliance Awarded Citation of Excellence For AN Unprecedented Twenty-Two Consecutive Years

Photo: (left to right): Steve Runk, Executive Director, NJ State Council on the Arts; Carol Ann Herbert, Council Member, NJ State Council on the Arts; Sharon Burton Turner, Chair, NJ State Council on the Arts; John McEwen, Executive Director, New Jersey Theatre Alliance; Kim Guadagno, NJ Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of State; Germaine B. Trabert, Council Member, NJ State Council on the Arts

 

 

(West Orange, NJ) -- At a recent gathering in Trenton, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance – the service organization for the state's professional theatres – was awarded a Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  The award is given to a select number of organizations in the state who receive the highest assessment in the annual independent peer review process. The Alliance, known throughout the nation as an exemplary service organization, has achieved this honor for an unprecedented twenty-two consecutive years.  Designation as a Major Impact Arts Service Organization was also awarded to the Alliance at the same time by Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, along with State Arts Council leadership.  Legislators from across the state also participated in this celebratory occasion.

John McEwen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, was on hand to accept the two prestigious awards from the Lieutenant Governor and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

"On behalf of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance Board, membership and staff, I am honored to accept these awards," said McEwen.  "We are fortunate to have the support and commitment of our state's leaders who place a high value on the arts, and a State Arts Council who is viewed as a national role model.  We are also grateful to have a legislature that recognizes the arts as economic engine for our state, and one of the essential elements that make New Jersey a superior place to live and work."

Founded in 1981, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance is the only statewide organization for professional, not-for-profit theatre companies in the United States, and is a leader in developing model programs that foster collaboration, cooperation and audience development. It provides its member theatres and arts patrons a wide range of supportive services and programs. The Alliance assists member theatres in their growth and development, as well as the promotion of their programs, helping them reach their full potential. For arts patrons, the Alliance is able to provide a variety of services to enhance their theatre-going experience.  For more information, and to find out about its programs and services, visit the Alliance website at www.njtheatrealliance.org or call (973) 731-6581 ext. 14.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is a division of the NJ Department of State. It receives funding in direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since 1966, its volunteer members and professional staff have worked to improve the quality of life in New Jersey by helping the arts to flourish.

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/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as contributions from foundations, corporations, businesses and individuals.  Continental Airlines is the official airline of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.