CONTACT:

Michael Roberson Reid

Arts Education Manager

mreid@yanjep.org

866-500-9265 ext. 219

Young Audiences’ Arts Lab Announces 10-Day and 20-Day Artist Residencies in New Jersey 

 17 Schools Awarded in 12 Counties

Aug 25, 2025

Princeton, NJ. August 25—Young Audiences (YA) is pleased to announce that 17 schools in New Jersey have been selected for 10-day and 20-day arts residencies through YA’s Arts Lab. Following an open call to all K-12 schools in New Jersey, these schools were chosen for their teams’ creative vision for student learning and their commitment to arts education.

Young Audiences Arts Lab grants place professional teaching artists in the classroom for the residencies, which are customized for grade level and arts discipline. The residencies include professional development for school staff and administration, classroom workshop days with a professional teaching artist, and a community-based culminating event. Students will explore art forms such as ceramics, dance, theatre, landscape architecture, and more. 

This program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Young Audiences works in partnership with Count Basie Center for the Arts and Morris Arts to administer the residencies. 

Participating schools are: 

Awarded a 20-day residency 

Academy of Greatness & Excellence (Ridgefield Park, NJ - Bergen County - Visual Art) 

Discovery Charter School (Newark, NJ - Essex County- Musical Theatre)

Farmingdale School (Farmingdale, NJ - Monmouth County - Theatre)

Greater Brunswick Charter School (New Brunswick, NJ - Middlesex County - Theatre) 

Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School (Trenton, NJ - Mercer County - Landscape Architecture)

Holy Cross Preparatory Academy (Delran, NJ - Burlington County - Dance) 

J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School (Haddonfield, NJ - Camden County- Landscape Architecture)

John P. Holland Charter School (Woodland Park, NJ - Passaic County - Musical Theatre)

Mannington Township School (Mannington Township, NJ - Salem County - Ceramics) Middle Township High School (Cape May Court House, NJ - Cape May County - Ceramics)

Awarded a 10-day residency

Clifton School Seventeen (Clifton, NJ - Passaic County - Music) 

James Monroe Elementary School (Edison, NJ - Middlesex County - Dance)

Rivera Elementary School (Trenton, NJ - Mercer County - Mural) 

Salome Urena Elementary School (Newark, NJ - Essex County - Dance)

Spring Garden School (Nutley, NJ - Essex County - Theatre) 

Walnut Street School (Toms River, NJ - Ocean County - Dance)  

Washington Avenue Elementary School (Pleasantville, NJ - Atlantic County - Mural) 

“Through the support of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, we’re able to achieve our shared goal of bringing transformative arts learning to students,” says President and CEO of YA Michele Russo. “We’re excited to see the growth, and creativity these opportunities will bring to these school communities.”

“These residencies have touched our hearts, sparked our imaginations, and firmly rooted the performing arts in our school. Thanks to Young Audiences, we can now identify and nurture student talent we always knew existed but never had the capacity to cultivate and develop,” says Dr. Rebeccah Welch, Director of Advancement, John P. Holland Charter, Woodland Park, NJ.

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted more than 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit yanjep.org.

About Arts Lab

Arts Lab allows schools and YA staff to design programming that meets the curricular and student needs of each partner school. YA’s professional teaching artists bring experiences to schools including performances, workshops, professional learning, and community and family arts nights. The selection of schools is made through an application process. Applications are accepted in the fall and early spring. To learn more, visit yanjep.org/arts-lab.

Media contact:

AnnMarie Gervasio

Director of Marketing and PR

agervasio@yanjep.org