County Has 'HEART' for Arts in New Providence, Berkeley Heights

Two local organizations and an area artist are among 49 artists, historians and nonprofit organizations that will receive funding through the 2013 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) grant program.

Artist Lesl Harker of New Providence was awarded $750 to present a traditional Irish concert. The borough itself was granted $1,000 to present the "Words" community poetry collage project, while the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra in Berkeley Heights won $1,875 to present a concert.

Total funding for the 49 grants is $75,000.

“The recipients of HEART Grants are a wonderful mix of creative individuals — composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers — plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The response to the program has been exciting ever since its inception.”

“The services provided by these artists, scholars and organizations directly benefit the residents of our county and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities,” Carter said. 

Artists, educators, civic and historical nonprofit organizations that want information about next year’s HEART Grant Program can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Call 908-558-2550 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.