Announcing the winners in the first annual JerseyArts.com People’s Choice Awards

(Trenton, NJ) – In November 2008 JerseyArts.com invited the public to vote for their favorite nonprofit arts groups in its first annual People’s Choice Awards.  The categories ranged from theater and performing arts center, to museum and gallery, to symphony and dance company (along with many more – there were 15 in all).  Many organizations rallied their audiences to vote and in total over 2630 people cast their ballot in this year’s awards.

Following are the winners in each category:

For more detailed results please visit JerseyArts.com.

The Appel Farm Arts and Music Center is excited to have won in two categories. “Appel Farm is honored to be chosen as the recipient of the People’s Choice Award in two categories, Arts Camp and Arts Classes for Kids,” stated Mark Packer, Executive Director. “Providing excellent arts education in a welcoming and diverse community has been the mission of Appel Farm for the past 50 years. So many of our activities focus on creative opportunities for young people, and we are delighted to be recognized by the people of our state for what we do.”

Mary Sue Sweeney Price, Director of the Newark Museum, winner of favorite art museum said, "As the Newark Museum celebrates its 100th year, we will provide opportunities for people of different generations, cultures and communities to cross paths and encounter art, science and culture. This People's Choice Award validates the vision of founder John Cotton Dana, who stated 'A good museum attracts, entertains, arouses curiosity, leads to questioning and thus promotes learning.' This award means everything to our staff, Trustees and volunteers of the Newark Museum." 

Kelly Ryman, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for George Street Playhouse, winner in the favorite professional theater category, adds "New Jersey is a state rich with top-notch professional theatre companies -- which makes George Street Playhouse all the more thrilled and honored to be named the People's Choice for Professional Theatre. We are very fortunate to have a loyal audience that is so very supportive of the new plays and musicals that we produce. We are grateful for their support, their patronage and their vote!"

The online poll is not considered scientific nor does it intend to make any evaluations as to artistic achievement or excellence, instead it is simply designed to give the public a voice in determining the most popular arts institutions in New Jersey. Jim Atkinson, Program Manager of Discover Jersey Arts is looking forward to next years awards saying "The public really got excited about the awards this year. We're hoping we'll see even more participation in 2009."      

Also, Sandra Rosenstock, a lucky voter, was selected at random from those who submitted ballots to receive a $100 Jersey Arts Gift Card, honored for purchases at more than 40 cultural locations statewide. For more details on the Jersey Arts Gift Card please click here.

JerseyArts.com is the official website of Discover Jersey Arts, a cosponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and ArtPride New Jersey Foundation. The site provides a comprehensive cultural event calendar, online arts directory, podcast, membership program, and a variety of other resources aimed at increasing the awareness of and participation in the arts in New Jersey.