At ArtPride New Jersey, we believe the stories behind public investment matter just as much as the dollars themselves. That's why we're continuing to spotlight the transformative impact of the NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II grant program and the organizations putting these resources to work in communities across New Jersey. As the state's arts advocacy organization, our mission is to advance, promote, and champion the arts as essential to both our quality of life and our economy. The $15 million A.R.T. Phase II investment has done exactly that—empowering 39 arts organizations to expand their reach, strengthen their programs, and deepen their impact. The result is more vibrant neighborhoods, greater access to the arts, and stronger, more connected communities throughout the state.
“The A.R.T. Phase II grant has been beneficial to our organization by allowing us to continue in our mission to use art to create social change. It is our mission to activate and bring together the city of Camden through art and bring the community together behind a common goal, to continue to build A City Invincible. This grant has allowed us to present various programs related to this public art initiative to our community and has allowed us to be more of a resource to artists and art supporters in our region.”
These are the words of Jazlyne Sabree, the Executive Director of Camden FireWorks, who recently took her place at the head of the organization in December 2025. She and former Executive Director Asiyah Kurtz first began discussing the idea of an Animodule installation nearly three years ago after Sabree was introduced to the medium through a workshop at the Arts Educators of New Jersey Conference. It was this idea that led them to apply for the A.R.T. Phase II grant. But what is an Animodule? This is always the first question that arises, and the curiosity that the term inspires is one of the drivers behind Sabree’s outreach and audience development strategy.
Sabree explains the thought process behind the initiative: “I chose these sculptures because I believe that this is not only a way to connect the community to the art projects that are happening here, but also a way to bring in more tourism. People will instinctively wonder what an animodule is and ideally, will want to travel to Camden to see them! The hope is that this will drive more visibility to Waterfront South, resulting in more tourism and more people, so that we can continue to chip away at some of the needs of that community and some of the needs of Camden at large.
Expanding Strategic Local and Regional Community Partnerships
“This particular grant has financially benefited four other nonprofit organizations in our direct community and one other organization based in North Jersey. This project has united six New Jersey organizations benefiting from this grant not only financially but in community programming, connection, and impactful transformation through this very intimate process.”
The four organizations in Waterfront South that are partnering with Camden FireWorks include the Heart of Camden, the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association and Writers House, Henson Heritage Center, as well as the Center for Environmental Transformation. The initiative includes a “Welcome to Waterfront South” mural and a literary mural with the Haiku Association in addition to the six animodule sculptures that will be installed at Camden FireWorks and partner sites this summer.
“Long term, I would love to see these things spread all across the city. There is going to be one artist working on every sculpture. Meaning there will be six artists totaling six animodules, and then one artist working on each mural. However, the muralists will each have two interns that they will select to accompany them.”
Public Investment is Critical to Sustainable Community Impact
Sabree has been explicitly clear that without the A.R.T. Phase II Grant, none of this would be possible. Camden Fireworks received a total of $457,800 in grant funding, and that money assists in creating these works of art by funding materials, paying artists and their staff, and hiring assistance to manufacture these Animodules. The Barat Foundation is listed as a sub-grantee who will help fabricate these eight-foot-tall aluminum structures.
Sabree wants to disrupt the arts ecosystem and put money in artists’ pockets because they deserve a livable wage. It is a rather common practice that artists are responsible for their own material costs, but thanks to this grant, Camden FireWorks is able to cover material costs and ensure that both the art and artist are receiving the care and quality they deserve. Over $50,000 is going directly to the artists on the project, with all material fees covered by Camden FireWorks. Additionally, this grant has supported these artists beyond this project by commissioning them for community programs along the way.
“We are incredibly thankful to NJEDA for their work in building these opportunities. I, as an artist and art administrator, am always excited about ways to integrate art into all areas of society. The thought that NJEDA has given to arts in areas of development across the state are so applauded.”
The current goal is to complete these installations before August 21st, with various events tied to their reveal throughout the summer. However, Sabree acknowledges that because of the size of the project, the timeline may fluctuate.
Sabree is excited for what’s to come and would like to encourage readers to “stay tuned for Community Paint Days throughout the months of July and August as the community will be coming together, at times to be determined, to work alongside our artists on various projects. This project will culminate with our annual Makers and Music Festival, which is a partnership between Camden FireWorks and Heart of Camden. That will take place on August 29th from 12 pm to 4 pm. This will include a community tour and celebration of the arts.”
