TRENTON, NJ – Monument Lab, in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and RevolutionNJ, has launched an Open Call for Artist Ideas for a new performance series – Revolutionary Acts – that will animate stories of the American Revolution in time for the 250th anniversary in 2026. Artists who live or work in New Jersey are invited to submit ideas for performance-based work that will unfold across specific, historically significant sites in Camden, Trenton, and Fort Lee. The selected artist will work with local community partners to activate these locations, weaving together stories of the state’s and nation’s past, present, and future.

“Who better to interpret our state’s legacy in an engaging and memorable way than New Jersey artists,” said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees both the State Arts Council and the Historical Commission in her role as Secretary of State. “This collaborative effort pairs artists with historians and community members to create something brand new – public performances that connect people from all walks of life, reflecting on our past and shaping our collective future.”

“Artists are keepers of vital history,” says Paul Farber, Director of Monument Lab. “We are honored to work with the State of New Jersey to engage artists and local constituencies. This partnership began in 2019, and we have since learned with and been inspired by many New Jersey-based artists, public historians, and stewards of place. We hope this monumental performance series will offer reflection and connection.”

Revolutionary Acts is one of many initiatives underway statewide to commemorate the 250th. Through this series, the partners will showcase cutting-edge artistry, highlighting the stories of an expansive group of Revolutionary voices, demonstrating that the creation of history and memory is a collective and personal endeavor in which we can actively participate. Guided by the selected artist and the public art experts at Monument Lab, the public will explore the complex layers of history found in New Jersey's cities, towns, and landscapes.

This is a project that appreciates and expands upon conventional forms of performance, public art, and public history. Artists of a variety of visual and performance backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Interested New Jersey Artists are invited to submit their materials via an online form by Monday, June 16, 2025. More information about the project, the process for artist selection, and the timeline are available online.

About the Partners
Monument Lab is a nonprofit public art, history, and design studio that is a leading voice in how monuments live with us in public spaces. As a team of artists, curators, and researchers, Monument Lab critically engages our inherited symbols in order to unearth the next generation of monuments that elevate stories and systems of belonging. Learn more at MonumentLab.com.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the New Jersey Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Council was established to support, 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. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

The New Jersey Historical Commission is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy. Learn more at nj.gov/state/historical.

RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey. RevolutionNJ advances the role that history plays in public discourse, community engagement, education, tourism, and scholarship in New Jersey. Through a series of initiatives that explore the history of the American Revolution, its context, and its legacy, RevolutionNJ galvanizes diverse audiences statewide into embracing the enduring value and relevance of history. Learn more at RevNJ.org.