Thanks for Joining Us at the Arts Awards!
Some of this year’s Arts Awards trophies by Beth DiCara.
Thanks to everyone who came out last week and supported this year’s Jersey City Arts Awards! This was the fifth year we’ve presented the awards and the first time since 2019 that we’ve been able to have the event in person - and we’re so grateful we got to see so many people face-to-face instead of over a screen!
Award Sculptures
We want thank artist Beth DiCara for making this year’s award statues. You can check out more of Beth’s fantastic work here.
Ann Wallace reading at the Arts Awards
Poet Laureate
Congratulations to Ann Wallace, who last month was selected to be the next Jersey City Poet Laureate, and who gave a reading at the awards. We're excited to have Ann's creativity and insight in the role.
And many thanks to Susan Justiniano, RescuePoetix, whose tenure as Poet Laureate is wrapping up. Susan has done incredible work these past two years, in her writing and performing, and also as an ambassador and advocate for poetry and the arts in Jersey City. Thanks, RescuePoetix!
Arts Awards Acceptance Statements
And once again, congrats to this year’s awardees. We asked recipients this year to send us a 10-word acceptance statement we could share. So here you go!
Leadership - Bryant Small: Be Intentional. Be Bold. Be Fiercely Kind. And Love Hard.
Public Art - Were Here JC: We, the people of Jersey City, are worthy of love.
Arts Education - Jersey City Art School: Thanks for recognizing the cultural impact that JCAS has created.
Young Artist - Sunjay Bahadur: Life is always better with great people by your side.
Film & TV - Look, Don’t Touch: Be a platform to amplify people's voices & passions.
Performing Arts - Winard Harper: Jazz is a democracy.
Visual Arts - Danielle Scott: Last time on this stage I was Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Literary Arts - Anisa Rahim: Thank you, shukriyah, Jersey City art lovers and beautiful artists.
Art Organization - Art Fair 14C: The arts are not an amenity, they deserve proper remuneration.
About the Arts Awards
Anyone can submit nominations for the Jersey City Arts Awards. Submissions are reviewed by award review panels, made up of local artists working in that category. The review panels submit recommendations to JCAC. Nominations for the 2023 awards will open later next year. You can see more from this year’s recipients and all previous Arts Award winners here.