New Jersey PAC Honored As Favorite Large Performing Arts Center in 2017 Jerseyarts.com People's Choice Awards

For the ninth consecutive year, New Jersey Performing Arts Center was named "Favorite Large Performing Arts Center" in the 2017 JerseyArts.com People's Choice Awards. Presented by Discover Jersey Arts, a program of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the annual awards highlight the work of New Jersey's vital and diverse arts community.

"We're deeply grateful to our friends for bringing out the votes and getting behind our just-the-facts campaign for NJPAC," said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. "As a dedicated advocate for diversity, the Arts Center is proud to be in the company of this year's contenders, who embody the incredible spectrum of arts, entertainment and culture offered throughout New Jersey."

This year, nearly 18,000 arts lovers cast their ballots for their favorite local groups and downtowns. NJPAC garnered 4,156 votes and was among those honored this morning at the 2017 N.J. Conference on Tourism in Atlantic City.
"For the ninth year in a row, the people of New Jersey have told us loud and clear that the arts matter," said Nick Paleologos, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. "In every corner of the state, from the smallest town to the biggest city, we rely on the work of these exceptional artists and arts organizations to make our communities vibrant, unique places to live, work and visit."

NJPAC was one of 98 arts organizations and 11 downtown districts nominated in 16 categories, including favorite large and small performing arts center, Dance Company, art gallery, choral group and more. Nominees were determined by their peers in the Jersey Arts Marketers network, made up of hundreds of arts groups from around the state.

"The arts organizations highlighted in the JerseyArts.com People's Choice Awards will not come as a surprise to many. The winners and nominees alike inspire hundreds every day," said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey. "These groups help our neighborhoods reach new heights and give us permission to fly to Neverland, dance on rooftops or simply take a longer, deeper look at the beauty that surrounds us. All of the nominees should be very proud of the important and impactful work they are doing."

For detailed results and more information, visit JerseyArts.com/PeoplesChoice.

About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey - where Great Performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted about 10 million visitors (including over 1.5 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC for more information.

About JerseyArts.com and Discover Jersey Arts
JerseyArts.com is the official website of Discover Jersey Arts, a cosponsored project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State dedicated to increasing the awareness of and participation in the arts in New Jersey. The site features a comprehensive cultural event calendar and arts directory; feature stories and podcasts; details on Jersey Arts Membership, including discounts and exclusive member events; an online gallery of New Jersey artists; and other content about the state's cultural community.

About the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is a division of the NJ Department of State. It receives funding in direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since 1966, its volunteer members and professional staff have worked to improve the quality of life in New Jersey through strategic support of the arts. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

About the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes the value of the arts to New Jersey's quality of life, education and economic vitality through research and a variety of programs and services. For more information about ArtPride, visit ArtPrideNJ.com.