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New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) today announced a partnership between the two organizations to cultivate and expand audiences from both sides of the Hudson River and celebrate the shared cultural opportunities in both locations. Through a presence at each other's events, shared marketing campaigns, co-branded special events and more, NJPAC will be able to introduce Harlem's Upper Manhattan residents to the culturally rich programming that the Arts Center brings in each season, while the GHCC will showcase the unique opportunities happening above 110th Street.
Both organizations have strong mission-based imperatives in revitalizing their home towns. As the birthplace of the iconoclastic Harlem Renaissance, Harlem continues to enhance its culturally venerated status. Newark is at a tipping point with new development, the revitalization of historic Military Park, and NJPAC's own residential/retail development project on the cusp of breaking ground.
"The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has consistently and successfully demonstrated support for a growing constituency that enjoys multicultural programming," said Donna Walker-Kuhne, Vice President of Community Engagement at NJPAC. "This carefully nurtured demographic is eager to experience quality entertainment, and will be a welcome new audience for NJPAC."
The partnership will be evident at attractions such as Harlem Week (July 27-Aug. 23, 2014) and Harlem Day (Aug. 17) in New York, where young musicians of NJPAC's Jazz for Teens program will perform on the YMCA stage on Aug. 17 and special ticket discounts will be offered at the NJPAC booth. Representatives of Harlem Week and Harlem Day greeted visitors and distributed information about their events at Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City and Family Fair at Theater Square in Newark. Both organizations will also share content on their various digital platforms, from their website and emails to across social media platforms.
"As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Harlem Week this year, we get more excited when we enter into new partnerships that will continue on for future years," said Marko Nobles, 2nd Vice Chairman of Harlem Week. "We are extremely thrilled to enter into a new partnership with NJPAC that allows for a truly regional celebration of culture and expose audiences throughout New York and New Jersey to great performances and activities happening over the summer months at NJPAC and Harlem Week."
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), originally incorporated in 1886 as the Harlem Board of Trade, is now in its third century of continued services to the Upper Manhattan area in general and the New York region in particular.
Harlem Week began in 1974 as Harlem Day, a day of encouragement and fellowship in Harlem for New Yorkers. Given the huge success of the celebration, days were added to showcase the community's rich economic, political and cultural history. Celebrating its 40th year in 2014, Harlem Week will offer over 100 events from July 27 through Aug. 23 to over 2 million attendees from all over New York and the world. Harlem Week celebrates the neighborhood's assets and unique flavor, promoting Harlem's rich African, African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic and European history, culture, arts, religion, entertainment and sports.
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. As New Jersey's Town Square, 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 nearly 8 million visitors (including more than 1 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.
