FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2006

CONTACT: Seb D’Elia, 908-527-4419
 Tom Plante, 908-527-4746

Free Workshop Explains Application Process
For Arts Grant Program, May 3

WESTFIELD, NJ – Does your non-profit group need funds for an arts project? The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites community arts organizations, schools, libraries, health and social service agencies and other non-profit organizations to attend a grant-writing workshop on Wednesday, May 3. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Union County Annex Building, located at 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield, NJ.

The workshop will provide specific information and guidelines for completing applications for the Union County Arts Grant Program. Funds for this program are made available through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. All non-profit groups and arts organizations that wish to offer an arts project to the public are eligible to apply for grant funds. Arts activities taking place between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, are eligible for consideration.

“An organization in search of funding needs a well-constructed grant proposal,” said Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Affairs Program Advisory Board. “This free workshop will take organizers through the process of writing this grant proposal step-by-step and discuss the specific components of a successful application, including a description of the project, the budget and the marketing plan.”

“The purpose of the grant program is to enrich the quality of life in Union County by stimulating and supporting the production, presentation and creation of the arts,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are very proud that the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has designated our Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs a Major Arts Service Organization for the eighth consecutive year.”

To register for the free May 3 workshop, or for information about other programs and services, please contact the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. Relay users dial 711. E-mail address: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.