Octavius Catto School, Courtesy: Symphony in C
The Council has a longstanding goal to ensure all New Jerseyans have access to quality, lifelong arts experiences and education. The Council works with an array of partners to place teaching artists and arts programs in schools and community settings, supports training for educators and artists, and participates in regional and national affinity groups to ensure New Jersey remains at the forefront of arts education and lifelong learning.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of The Transformative Power of Art: A Guide to Arts Learning for Systems-Impacted Youth in New Jersey. This guide will support teaching artists, arts providers, and arts- and community-based organizations who engage with systems- and justice-impacted youth. On April 20, 2026, the Arts Council hosted a free, public webinar to highlight organizations and artists in New Jersey who are serving youth through the arts.
View The Transformative Power of Art Webinar.
View The Transformative Power of Art: A Guide for Arts Learning for Systems-Impacted Youth in New Jersey.
For questions about the guide, contact Samantha Patel Clarke.
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national poetry recitation program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and implemented by state and jurisdictional arts councils across the country. The Council sponsors NJPOL and works closely with Count Basie Center for the Arts and a network of partners to maximize the impact of the program. POL encourages the nation’s youth to learn about poetry through memorization and performance, while gaining public speaking skills, building self-confidence, and learning about their literary heritage. All NJ public, charter, private, and parochial high schools, and home school associations are invited to participate. NJPOL can be facilitated in school classrooms, after school, through community organizations, and libraries by a teacher, teaching artist, or program facilitator.
Joy Ogunsakin, a senior from Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, was named State Champion at the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals, at Count Basie Center for the Arts on March 3, 2026. Evelynn Knox, a sophomore from Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands earned the title of State Runner-Up.
View State Champion Joy Ogunsakin’s Performance Highlight Video
View State Runner Up Evelynn Knox’s Performance Highlight Video
View the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Lud State Final Competition Video
For questions about this program, contact NJPOL Coordinator Kenya Bullock.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Teaching Artist Community of Practice (TA COP) will establish an annual cohort of teaching artists with the goal to create more meaningful engagement, network building, and learning opportunities for teaching artists who live and work in the state of NJ. Moderated by the Arts Council, this TA COP aims to provide a virtual space of connection and support specifically addressing the professional development interests and needs of the cohort. In partnership with selected teaching artists, the Arts Council staff will co-design this series of quarterly sessions to be focused on topic of highest relevance for greater impact.
The FY27 Teaching Artist Community of Practice Interest Form has now closed. Selected teaching artists will be notified on or around October 2, 2026.
For questions about this program, contact Samantha Patel Clarke.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey