N.J. arts groups prepare for funding reduction

Arts groups in New Jersey are losing some of their state subsidies–but not as much as expected.

Gov. Chris Christie rejected a provision Democrats put in the budget that would have required some of the money allocated to the State Council on the Arts be given to the Battleship New Jersey and the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton.

That leaves the arts council with $16 million to award its annual grants, about the same amount as last year. The Newark Museum, which previously had other state funding, will be seeking some of that grant money.

Anne Marie Miller, executive director of ArtPride New Jersey, said that will affect the amount awarded to other arts organizations around the state.

“Everybody is going to see a reduction,” she said. “They’re planning for anywhere between a 7 percent and a 15 percent decrease.”

Miller says that could result in fewer arts programs and higher ticket prices. The New Jersey Arts Council will announce this year’s grant recipients later this month.