This month is jam packed with cultural events for all to enjoy during Discover Jersey Arts Month. Be sure to check the Fall Guide to help you select the performances and exhibits that will help you celebrate during October and beyond.

Governor Murphy again issued the annual proclamation designating October as Discover Jersey Arts Month, a uniquely New Jersey way to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month, federally designated by President Biden. Please take a moment to read the proclamation and a list of the many ways the arts contribute to our quality of life and aid New Jersey’s overall recovery.

On Sept. 30, President Biden also reinstated the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities by Executive Order, providing an appointed body to advance and promote our nation’s culture. His order recognizes the arts and humanities as the “…the soul of America, reflecting our multicultural and democratic experience…”

So while our elected officials proclaim the importance of the arts in New Jersey and throughout our nation, and the celebration ensues, October also offers time to prepare for what follows swiftly on its heels — Nov. 8, Election Day.

Here are five easy ways that you can be sure the arts remain vital through the power of your vote!

  1. Take the ArtsVote 2022 pledge at the Arts Action Fund and access ArtsVote graphics by nationally known graphic artist and muralist, Shepard Fairey. The pledge asks you to inform others about their right to vote and resist voter suppression efforts.
  2. Review the ArtsVote in New Jersey  fact sheet at the Arts Action Fund. It’s all you need to know about deadlines for voter registration (Oct. 18 in NJ) and early voting and mail-in voting opportunities.
  3. Consult the Candidate Survey Responses on our website. It reveals the views on arts issues of NJ Congressional candidates in the November election. This year the full US House of Representatives is up for election and ArtPride asked them for their opinions on arts funding, arts education and related issues. In addition, consult the 2022 US Congressional Arts Report Card to learn how members of Congress voted on arts-related issues.
  4. Similarly, learn about candidates for school board in your town. Arts Ed New Jersey has its own School Board Member Survey. It will be ready to view October 18.
  5. Lastly, take time to visit the NJ Council for the Humanities website as they celebrate their 50th anniversary and place special focus on the power and history of voting through the fascinating “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit that will move to Union College in October. This exhibit is made possible through the Smithsonian Institution’s Museums on Main Street program.