Founding of West Windsor Arts Council and filing for federal tax-exempt status.
Mission to establish the art center and provide professional quality community arts programming in order to support, educate, inspire, and promote arts and art appreciation in the greater West Windsor community.
WW Town Council arranges for local developer to provide annual support and funding for three free community arts events per year at Nassau Park Pavilion shopping center on Rt. 1.
First half-time executive director is hired.
Expansion of community-based programs including multicultural film series at Grover Middle School and West Windsor public library, poetry events, four free concerts and one artmaking day called Autumn Arts Afternoon at Nassau Park Pavilion. Weekly arts activities are held at West Windsor Farmers’ Market.
Township authorizes the creation of an arts center in available space at former
Princeton Junction Firehouse and begins reconstruction to bring the building to code.
West Windsor Arts Council funds the renovation of the building interior with $250,000 raised through a capital campaign, including restoration of the tin ceiling, gallery lighting, and installation of all cabinets and equipment. The portion of the building called the firetruck bays is discussed for future development but remains in use by the Fire Department. A partnership with MCCC Gallery is established to offer a prize during the Mercer County Art Show.
Signing of MOU and 10-year lease between West Windsor Township and the Board of Trustees includes support for the fledgling organization through a gradual increase in rent and support for utilities and facilities maintenance. The official grand opening of the art center is held featuring a block party with arts performances, activities, and distinguished speakers. Launch of workshops and art exhibits. Received first Mercer County Culture and Heritage grant. Staff includes part time executive director, full time education director, and office manager.
First full year of operation with a budget of $223,000. Offerings include 45 classes and 6 art exhibitions, teen nights, film series, open mic, theater series, literary arts events and first Black History event. Establishes partnership with the WW Bike Ped Association. First “Off the Wall” Affordable Art Sale and Artisan Market is held.
Adds two weeks of summer camps to the educational offerings.
Increases summer camp offerings to 8 weeks.
Holds first gala fundraiser called Mardi Gras Magic. Adds first fall and spring break camps to education offerings. Establishes partnerships with WW Parking Authority; MarketFair.
Hires first full-time director. Launches STEAM-related educational programming and a four-year exhibition series. Creates an arts scholarship program for camps. Establishes partnership with the Minority Concerns Committee of Mercer County.
Fifth full year of operation with a budget of $449,000. Offers 157 seasonal arts classes, 15 summer camps, one fall and one spring break camp, six exhibits, one Artisan Market, four free summer music concerts and 2 free community arts festivals. Offers 8 arts scholarships for low-income families. Operating Reserve Policy and fund of 2 months operating expenses is established. Partners with Pegasus Theatre Company for performances and with Code for Princeton to create a Data and Art Hackathon. Summer camp receives New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution commending its artistic excellence and acknowledging that it has “established a model to emulate and has set a standard of excellence toward which others might strive.”
Completes website and CRM overhaul to provide a responsive, mobile-friendly design. Establishes partnerships with La Convivencia and African American Parents Support Group to offer MLK Day of Service. Presents a day-long music festival at Nassau Park Pavilion.
Celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the War of the Worlds Broadcast with local partners and township wide programs. Installs the 12-foot sculpture “Scoutship” by Eric Schultz in front of the art center. With corporate support, travels the STEAM exhibition to the NRG corporate headquarters building. Establishes partnership with WW Human Relations Council. Volunteers create and site the “Little Free Library” on the grounds.
Ninth full year of operation with a budget of $523,000. Offers 157 classes, 10 weeks of summer arts camp, 1 fall and 1 spring break camp, 6 exhibits and 1 Artisan Market, 3 free Nassau Park events and 1 free winter event at MarketFair. Full time staff includes executive director, operations director, education manager, outreach program coordinator. Part time staff includes two administrative assistants, seasonal camp manager and assistant camp manager. Awarded a 3-year New Jersey State Council of the Arts General Operating grant and a Bunbury Fund grant for capacity building. Establishes partnership with RISE Community Services to conduct grant-funded, free off-site digital art workshops for underserved youth in Hightstown. Volunteers create and site the “Little Free Pantry” on the grounds in partnership with Send Hunger Packing.
Organizes and hosts the 3rd annual MLK Day of Service with community partners.
A new performance series is launched but the art center closes on March 13, 2020 in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. Experiences a 45% drop in total revenues over the previous year. Reconfigures grants and applies for funding to maintain basic operations. Cost cutting measures include reducing all staff salaries by 25% and furloughing of part time staff. Exhibitions, classes, camps, and more programs are presented online to maintain engagement while preserving public safety due to the pandemic. Partners with Mercer Mask Project to create hundreds of masks for distribution to frontline workers. Partners with Art Against Racism for an impactful, outdoor community art project. Expands grant-funded digital arts programs for underserved youth through partnerships with Rise Community Services, Catholic Charities, Trenton Public Library.
Township of West Windsor issues a proclamation commemorating the 10th anniversary of the art center and recognizing its positive impact on the community. A lease extension is signed. Participation in programs slowly increases with audiences still cautious about a return to previous levels of engagement. A grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts supports the purchase of PPE equipment.
Completes comprehensive new strategic plan with support from the New Jersey Cultural Trust that includes a revision of the mission statement to “West Windsor Arts cultivates the artist inside us all, while inspiring a creative community that is engaged, inclusive and equitable.” A Capital Arts Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts is awarded to West Windsor Arts (with letter of support from WW Township) to renovate a shed in the backyard of the property to house a kiln for ceramics, create a covered patio, and enclose the backyard with a fence.
New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution is presented to West Windsor Arts to commemorate leadership in establishing November as Arts and Health Month. WW-P High School North’s Transition to Adult Community and Careers program recognizes West Windsor Arts for its dedication and commitment to inclusivity in the workplace. Designated as the honoree for the WW Gives Back community fundraising campaign. Receives grant from Princeton Area Community Foundation to increase summer offerings for underserved youth and teens.
Signs new 10-year lease with West Windsor Township for use of the art center building for $1 per month and placing responsibility for all utilities and maintenance repair expenses on West Windsor Arts, which effectively increases previous expenses by 75%. Township agrees to replace the leaking roof and related damages, but is not willing to negotiate the use of the now empty bays.
After a lengthy administrative process of over a year, including a forced stop during lease negotiations, the Capital Arts backyard project receives all necessary approvals from the Zoning and Planning Boards and the township construction office. With two grant deadline extensions and only 4 months remaining to complete the project, an unsuccessful public bid forces the project to come to an end before it can be realized. West Windsor Arts is compelled to return funds to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and its plans for adding a ceramics program for the community are placed on hold.
General Operating Support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts is increased by 50% from original award. A Kindness Rock garden is established outdoors at the art center. WW Gives Back funds are used to make upgrades to audio/visual equipment in the performance gallery.
Website undergoes complete redesign.
Established in 2010, West Windsor Arts is known for its exceptional education, innovative arts exhibitions and community service. West Windsor Arts cultivates the artist within us all, while inspiring a creative community that is engaged, inclusive and equitable.
