Three local organizations will each receive $20,000 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support arts projects, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced today.

    Two River Theatre in Red Bank, and Grounds for Sculpture and International Sculpture Center, Inc. both in Hamilton, were among chosen from 3,455 applications for funding.  In all, 1,118 awardees were chosen across the country.

    “These organizations each contribute to the community and beyond,” Smith said. “Their work recognizes artists and talent and encourages a wider appreciation for the arts in the public. Two River Theater Company openly fosters young people to participate in its productions, and is a jewel in the crown of Monmouth County theater. Grounds for Sculpture is an amazing display of artistry for both visitors and passers-by along the old State Fair Grounds area in Hamilton, since many displayed artwork  can be seen and enjoyed driving along East State Street. The international sculpture center serves nearly all aspects of the field sculpture, from artists to museums and virtually anyone with an appreciation of sculpture.”

    Two River Theater Company of Red Bank in Monmouth County was awarded $20,000 to support the world premiere of "Be More Chill," a new musical by playwright Joe Tracz and composer and lyricist Joe Iconis. Based on the young adult novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini, the work tells the story of an unpopular teen boy who inserts a supercomputer into his brain that teaches him how to “be cool.” In an effort to engage young audiences, the theater will recruit teen ambassadors who will attend readings and rehearsals to learn about the show’s development, and the theater will host outreach events and post-play discussions.

    The theater company develops and produces American theater created by gifted, adventurous artists. Each year, more than 55,000 patrons and guests attend Two River Theater events to see productions in the theater’s intimate performance spaces, the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater and the Marion Huber Theater. Founded in 1994, Two River Theater now enjoys recognition in the national theater community for their new-play commissioning program, launched in 2010 to create a pipeline for developing work that contributes to the vitality and future of the American theater.  

Grounds For Sculpture Inc., of Hamilton in Mercer County, was also awarded a $20,000 grant to support an exhibition of work by Korean-American sculptor Jae Ko. The artist will create a massively scaled, deep sculptural relief (raised dimensional technique) made entirely of manipulated paper that she rolls and layers against the gallery wall. The project also will include the exhibition of smaller, "sumi" (ink wash) works to demonstrate Ko's artistic depth and talent. Demonstrations, workshops, artist's talks, and a documentary video will help educate the public about the versatility of paper as a medium.

Grounds For Sculpture is a constantly-evolving collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures situated on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Established in 1992 to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture, the organization maintains a 42-acre sculpture park composed of works by well-known and emerging American and international artists in Hamilton Township, NJ. In accordance with its mission, it presents visitors with an evolving permanent outdoor collection, seasonal exhibitions, and educational programs designed to facilitate the understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture.

International Sculpture Center, Inc., also of Hamilton, has been awarded $20,000 to support the “Dialogues and Discoveries” initiative. Designed to facilitate conversations about contemporary sculpture, the initiative includes the production of Sculpture magazine, online digital content, and a weekly blog. Sculpture has a press run of 14,000 copies per issue 10 times per year, as well as an online audience of 500,000, and more than 36,000 unique blog users.

ISC is a member-supported, nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to champion the creation and understanding of sculpture and its unique contributions to society. ISC members include not only sculptors but collectors, patrons, architects, developers, journalists, curators, historians, critics, educators, foundries, galleries, and museums. The mission of the center is to expand public understanding and appreciation of sculpture internationally, demonstrate the power of sculpture to educate and effect social change, engage artists and arts professionals in a dialogue to advance the art form and promote a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors.

    The NEA was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $5 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.

    Congressman Smith, who represents New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, has offices in Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.  For more information call (732) 780-3035 or (609) 585-7878.