ONLINE PRESS KIT
ABOUT GRAND ARTISTRY INSPIRES, INC., THE ORGANIZATION BEHIND THE JAM N SKATE ARTS FEST.
Grand Artistry Inspires, envisions equitable access to, and participation in, arts-based events and programs throughout the State of New Jersey for all to achieve their best health. As a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc. harnesses the transformative power of the arts to unlock opportunity for all to improve connection, wellbeing, community, and resilience.
The mission of Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc. is to: 1. Confront inequities in arts-based programming to equitably direct resources across communities; 2. Activate and transform public spaces into vibrant community hubs for live arts performances and arts education; and, 3. Address community health needs by connecting individuals to health and social support services
Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc. is committed to increasing arts engagement and connection to health and social support services within underinvested communities through curated event experiences in festive, creative, and inspiring environments.
THE JAM N SKATE ARTS FEST
Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest is a free, public festival that fuses an entertaining festival experience of performances, music, and skating with activities that connect families to: health and social support services, arts programs, and sports-based programs. This urban-style gathering not only creates a vibrant setting for skaters and artists to showcase their talent but also educates young artists, promotes physical activity, and connects event attendees to health and social services organizations. The Jam N' Skate Arts Fest event is dedicated to supporting artists and skate communities alike by bringing this festival to underinvested areas in the State of New Jersey.
In 2023 Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc. launched the very first Jam N Skate Arts Fest in the City of Paterson, New Jersey servicing 335 event attendees. This community event connected families, artists, and skaters to twelve community-based organizations offering health and social support services. Under a festive and vibrant environment, attendees got to experience 86 stage performers ranging from the ages of 6-25, three skateboarding competitions hosted in collaboration with SOLID, Inc., and live mural paintings by local artists. The offerings of the festival additionally included an abundance of donation giveaways spanning from food, toys to clothing for all ages. At no cost to attendees, the event offered skating lessons, arts & crafts activities, and line dancing, providing an opportunity for individuals to learn new skills, and motivating families to stay physically active during the event.
The 2nd Jam N Skate Arts Fest will take place Saturday, June 29th, 2024 (Rain date July 13th, 2024) at the Madison Avenue Skatepark in the City of Plainfield, New Jersey from the hours of 12:00 PM -5:00 Pm EST. This remarkable community event that will be marketed to the 50,000+ residents of the City of Plainfield and over 150,00 + residents of Plainfield’s surrounding communities. The event will serve as an economic stimulus for the City of Plainfield by providing opportunities for small and local businesses to provide services to those attending the festival. The festival will activate the skate park located in downtown Plainfield, within two blocks of the NJ Transit Plainfield Train Station, and connect families to essential support services under a vibrant and celebratory environment.
Families in urban communities benefit from the exposure, connections, and tangible resources acquired from the participation of this festival. The Jam N Skate Arts Fest is a valuable community resource that provides one of the few opportunities for underinvested communities to participate in arts-based events.
ADDRESSING THE GAP IN ARTS-BASED PROGRAMMING
Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc. serves all individuals who live, work, learn, heal, and play in the New Jersey Counties of Cumberland, Essex, Passaic, and Union, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. Artists and art enthusiasts who have limited or no access to art-based education benefit from Grand Artistry Inspires, Inc.’s free and publicly accessible programming. Funding disparities for students in urban and rural communities represent a nationwide crisis: School districts with predominately low to moderate income students receive and allocate less funding for arts programming than their suburban counterparts. Public schools in the State of New Jersey have experienced year after year funding cuts in arts education and after-school arts programs that provide a comprehensive and quality education. The following municipalities within our target areas will be prioritized for programming support: • Cumberland: Salem• Essex: Newark, East Orange, Irvington• Passaic: Paterson• Union: Elizabeth, Plainfield
ARTS EDUCATION STATISTICS RESOURCES
AMERICAN FOR THE ARTS, 10 ARTS EDUCATION FAST FACTS
https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/arts-education/10-arts-education-fast-facts
ARTS EDUCATION WHO HAS ACCESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://ewa.org/how-to-cover-the-story/arts-education-who-has-access-in-public-schools
