August 23, 2018, PEAPACK, NJ – Matheny is pleased to announce that the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has awarded a generous grant of over $37,000 to its innovative Arts Access Program. Arts Access, an integral part of Matheny, provides people with disabilities unlimited freedom to create and participate in the fine arts. The prestigious FY19 award supports Matheny’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for people with medically complex disabilities.
Part of a three-year funding cycle, the grant demonstrates New Jersey’s commitment to the arts for people with disabilities and underserved populations. The Arts Council also announced Matheny as an FY19 Major Presenting and Service Organization and presented a Citation of Excellence.
Eileen Murray, Director of Arts Access, said, “We are extremely grateful to the NJ State Council on the Arts for their long-term and strong support of the Matheny Arts Access Program. Their generosity enables us to offer our artists the opportunity to fully express themselves through the arts. Arts Access, and all of New Jersey, is fortunate to have such a dynamic and dedicated arts council.” Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Arts Access is a premiere fine arts program for people with disabilities throughout New Jersey. Support from the NJ State Council on the Arts also helps to bring the artists’ work to the public eye, through events such as Full Circle, Arts Access’ yearly arts celebration. Full Circle 2018 will take place on Saturday, November 3, 2018, and will showcase the Matheny artists’ work in the visual, literary and performing arts. Murray states, “Thanks to the generosity of organizations such as the NJ State Council on the Arts, the artists have a chance to shine and receive recognition for their artistic accomplishments.”
Matheny is also grateful to Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, and our legislative representatives, Senator Michael Doherty, Assemblyman John DiMaio, and Assemblyman Erik Peterson for making these resources available in order to offer these invaluable services to people with disabilities.
About Matheny Arts Access Program
Matheny’s mission is to provide exceptional care and an optimal quality of life for children and adults with special needs and medically complex developmental disabilities. Matheny’s Arts Access program empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can take part in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, the artists are provided with the tools and materials need to produce complete pieces of work. To learn more about Matheny go to matheny.org; for more information about Arts Access, please visit artsaccessprogram.org.
About the NJ State Council on the Arts
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council receives direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated, renewable Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee, as well as competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about the Council, please visit artscouncil.nj.gov.
