SOPAC Nominated For 5th Time As Favorite Small Performing Arts Center

South Orange Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce its nomination for Favorite Small Performing Arts Center in the 2019 JerseyArts.com People's Choice Awards. Now in its 11th year, the annual awards program run by Discover Jersey Arts pays tribute to the work of New Jersey's vital, vibrant and diverse arts organizations. With the ballots now prepped, it's time for arts lovers across the state to vote for their favorite local arts organizations.

"SOPAC is incredibly grateful for this nomination as Favorite Small Performing Arts Center," said Mark Packer, Executive Director. "We're honored to be recognized by our fellow colleagues, and to be a part of such a strong arts community that drives one another to thrive. We hope our patrons will also support us by voting in this year's Awards."

SOPAC and the other contenders in the 2019 People's Choice Awards were nominated by their peers through the Jersey Arts Marketers network, which is made up of hundreds of arts groups across the state. Now, 11 arts districts and 104 organizations will compete in 19 categories, including favorite music festival, art gallery, small theatre, ballet company and more.

"The arts scene in New Jersey is reliably exciting and diverse," said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. "The thousands of passionate and loyal arts lovers who cast their votes each year is further proof that there is truly something special for everyone." Public voting began January 9 and runs through February 20, 2019 at www.JerseyArts.com/Vote. Last year, more than 18,000 ballots were cast, and even more are expected this year.

"We are incredibly lucky to have such an innovative and inspiring cultural community in New Jersey," said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey, which cosponsors the Discover Jersey Arts program with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. "The JerseyArts.com People's Choice Awards showcases extraordinary artistic endeavors across the state and allows art enthusiasts to select their favorites. In the end, we are all winners when we embrace the robust opportunities presented by New Jersey's arts organizations."

For a full list of nominees and categories, please visit www.JerseyArts.com/Vote. 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 dedicated to increasing the awareness of and participation in the arts in New Jersey. The site features a comprehensive cultural events calendar and arts directory; feature stories on Culture Vultures Arts Weekly and the Jersey Arts Podcast; 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.