NJEDA’s recent initiative is dedicated to funding and investing in the arts, specifically in regard to their grant ventures A.R.T. Phase I, A.R.T. Phase II, and the C.A.F.E. Program. At the time, the recipients for the $15 million A.R.T. Phase II grant had not yet been announced but we are excited to share that thirty-nine organizations across New Jersey were awarded significant grants under the program. Among them was Arts Guild New Jersey in Burlington County who received funding in the amount of $500,000. While Arts Guild New Jersey was the named organization on the grant, they were able to partner with six other organizations that benefit from the funding as well - Lyceum Hall, Burlington County Historical Society, Burlington Quaker Meeting House, The Dime, Main Street, Burlington, and In FACT, Inc.
We spoke with Shanisha “Nisha” Ray, President of Arts Guild New Jersey about the pivotal role this grant has played in the Guild’s 2026 initiatives and the progress Burlington County is seeing due to the State’s support.
How has the A.R.T Phase II Grant been beneficial to your organization?
This grant has allowed Arts Guild New Jersey to truly step outside the box. As the leading agency and grantee for Burlington City, it has given us the opportunity to scale our vision and test an idea we strongly believe in – that we are more impactful together. By embracing the differences and unique strengths of each organization, we are able to create something much more meaningful as a collective.
Bringing multiple partners into this grant has allowed us to offer a diverse mix of programming that has helped to reignite energy among business owners and throughout the community. This collaborative approach is what continues to move us forward.
On a more personal level, the grant has enabled us to launch our Art Supports Autism program for students in grades 2–4. My grandson is on the spectrum and so, creating a safe, welcoming space for him and other children means everything to me. We have also introduced Art Supports Women Veterans classes, which are designed to foster connection, conversation, and community between women veterans and civilian women who have experienced physical recovery, trauma etc. These sessions are not therapy or peer support groups; they are simply safe spaces where women can unplug, create, and just be.
How has it been, and how do you foresee it being beneficial to your community?
I believe this project has helped unify our partners under a shared vision, allowing us to move forward as one voice. It has also sparked new collaborations and ideas that will support long-term growth.
Through this initiative, we are providing stipends to high school students, which not only offer financial support but also help build leadership skills and confidence. Our workshops are creating inclusive spaces for civilian women, women veterans, and children with autism. These are places where individuals can feel safe, express themselves, and explore their talents.
As funds are being shared across Burlington County organizations, please explain what your portion of the grant funds is being directed towards.
Our portion of the funding supports several key initiatives. We are developing a Community Art Cart, which will serve as a mobile welcome center and creative hub. We are also providing stipends of $1,500 to ten local students to support youth engagement and leadership development.
Additionally, funds are being used for our Art Supports Recovery events for women veterans and our Art Supports Autism programming. We have been able to hire professional DJ and sound services to enhance all Burlington City Arts Collaborative events, and we are intentionally reinvesting funds back into local businesses to support the broader community.
Would any of this have been possible without the A.R.T Phase II Grant?
I do not believe our collaborative efforts—or even many of our individual projects—would have been possible without the A.R.T Phase II Grant. This funding has been instrumental in our growth as an organization and in bringing our vision to life.
What is your experience as one of many partners sharing this grant?
Going into this process, I had a vision of bringing arts organizations together so that each could contribute their creativity, ideas, and programming to a shared effort. Now that we are funded, it has been incredibly rewarding to see that vision come to life.
We’ve witnessed partners like the Burlington Quaker Community House building their capacity, while others are scaling their programming. We’ve collaborated with Main Street Burlington to engage local business owners and have had meaningful conversations with partners such as The Union House and the Burlington County Bridge Commission about increasing foot traffic in ways that are supportive and not burdensome for business owners.
We’ve strengthened our marketing efforts alongside Spark Creative Group and worked closely with organizations like In FACT, Inc., Mayor Barry W. Conaway, the Quaker House, and Lyceum Hall on planning and logistics. For Arts Guild NJ, this experience has been about understanding every moving piece, supporting our partners where needed, and helping ensure the success of the collective.
We are also continuing to build out our own programs, including the Art Cart, Art Supports Autism, and Art Supports Recovery. We’ve had the privilege of working with talented local artists like Leon Rainbow, who will create the mural for the Art Cart, Takeira Richardson, who will lead workshops, and veteran Constance Cotton, who will facilitate sessions for women veterans.
In a word, this experience has been invigorating and deeply fulfilling. It has reinforced what we believe at our core, that we are stronger together.
Would you like to see these grant programs expanded? In what ways?
Yes, I would absolutely love to see these grants expanded. I would especially like to see more opportunities that encourage partnerships between arts organizations and local businesses, helping to strengthen both the creative community and the local economy.
Please express any gratitude you may feel towards the NJEDA for their work in building these opportunities.
I am incredibly grateful to the NJEDA team for creating opportunities that bring communities together through the arts. Their support has been invaluable, and their team has been a pleasure to work with.
Receiving the NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II funding has been transformative for our community and partners in ways that are both tangible and deeply personal. With the guidance of Spark Creative and the Burlington Bridge Commission, it has allowed us to begin pouring $16,000 directly back into 16 local businesses by welcoming the first 100 individuals with $10 gift cards that encourage them to shop, dine, and stay connected right here in Burlington City.
But beyond the numbers, this funding is creating moments that matter. We’ve been able to offer free, accessible events that bring people together, and reimagine spaces like the Quaker Meeting House. The Burlington Quaker Meeting House, which has historically been underutilized, now will be filled with energy and free events. Their first event this last Saturday had over 120 attendees.
This past weekend, we expanded beloved City programs, such as the annual Kids Arts Bash at Lyceum Hall and the Burlington County Historical Society, while also launching meaningful programs like Arts Supports Autism. This program was started due to my 8-year-old grandson having autism and my search for a safe environment for him to explore the arts. The grant has provided us the ability to provide my grandson and many other children with autism a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their creativity, discover their voices, and simply feel seen.
During our first event, families stopped in requesting programs for those younger than 2nd grade, as well as high school students with autism. We hope to be able to expand our programming to fill the gaps.
Quite simply, without the support of the NJEDA A.R.T PHASE II grant, this energy, collaboration, and impact would not be possible, as Arts Guild New Jersey would not have available funding. We hope that this opportunity and funding continue in 2027 and beyond. On behalf of the entire Arts Guild New Jersey Board, I sincerely thank the NJEDA and their team.
