Last year we launched a new way to support ArtPride NJ and grow tomorrow’s advocates by honoring Jane Burgio and Berda Rittenhouse, two exceptional women who are remembered dearly as ardent and leading advocates. We are pleased to report that through the generosity of 32 inaugural friends, the Burgio/Rittenhouse Memorial Fund raised $12,000 to advance this cause. Support for the Burgio/Rittenhouse Fund made possible:

  • Full scholarships for 3 young women, students at Montclair State University, to attend the annual National Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
  • A scholarship for one of NJ Emerging Arts Leaders to attend the National Arts Marketing Project sponsored by Americans for the Arts in Atlanta.
  • Support for the NJ Emerging Leaders who convened in October for the fourth annual Creative Conversations in celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month. This year’s program focused on building your best advocates, community, and career.

To all who helped launch the Burgio/Rittenhouse Memorial Fund, we offer our deepest thanks. But now, like those two indomitable ladies, we have to keep it going. In addition to scholarships for National Arts Advocacy Day and other ways we will encourage young advocates, plans are in the works to learn from the past and prepare for the future. The NJ Emerging Arts Leaders have a bold idea, an intergenerational program called “Trading Places,” that is an innovative two-way mentoring confab. Seasoned managers among us will learn from young professionals who navigate new technology so freely, while they in turn will examine best practices (and failures) of New Jersey’s storied past. With Burgio/Rittenhouse Memorial Funds we can make “Trading Places” a reality. Please consider a donation of $100 or more to support the continued success of the Burgio/Rittenhouse Fund. As promised, the names of donors who contribute $500 or more will be added to the plaque honoring Jane and Berda that is in production right now. We will invite you to its dedication at ArtPride headquarters in the Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts in Burlington, NJ early in 2015. Thank you and best wishes for the upcoming holidays!