(Trenton, NJ)The New Jersey State Council on the Arts held its first public meeting of 2020 today at the Morris Museum in Morristown, where this year's Artist Fellowship awards were announced.

See the complete list of the 2020 Fellowship Award recipients.

"New Jersey is home to a wonderfully diverse and sizable community of artists," said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. "This investment by the State Arts Council helps keep artists at work, and in turn, these artists continue to put New Jersey on the map as a thriving arts destination. New Jerseyans from across the state are impacted daily by the work of our talented artists, and I am proud to partner with the State Arts Council to highlight the importance of the Individual Artist Fellowship program."

The Individual Artist Fellowships are competitive awards to New Jersey artists in 12 rotating disciplines granted solely on independent peer panel assessment of work samples. The anonymous process is focused on artistic quality, and awards may be used to help artists produce new work and advance their careers. New Jersey artists applied for awards this year in the categories of sculpture, choreography, poetry, and music composition. This program is carried out in partnership with the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and is managed by the Council's Director of Artist Services, Danielle Bursk.

In addition to announcing this year's Artist Fellowships, the meeting also included the swearing-in of the newest member of the Council board, Vivian Scott Chew.

"We are thrilled to welcome Vivian to the State Arts Council," said Arts Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. "Through her extensive experience in arts and entertainment, Vivian will bring important insight to our grantmaking process while providing invaluable guidance to our staff as we take a fresh look at programs and initiatives. Vivian is an ardent champion for the arts, and we look forward to working with her to continue elevating the importance of the arts in New Jersey."

"I am excited to begin my term on the New Jersey State Council On The Arts," said Vivian Scott Chew. "What an honor to join a legacy of community service leaders who support the sustainability of established organizations while also working to engage new voices and communities! I look forward to advancing the cause of inclusion and education through the arts with this award winning team."

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About the New Jersey 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 www.artscouncil.nj.gov.