"The act of making opens awareness, much like meditation or a good hike."

This Week's Episode

This week on State of the Arts, maker Jack Larimore explores competition in the world of nature in Bonding, an exhibition at Rowan University Art Gallery. Paper Mill Playhouse’s musical Gun and Powder tells the remarkable true story of how two farm girls became bank robbers. African American architect Edward T. Bowser, Jr. trained with the legendary Le Corbusier and designed at least a dozen houses and buildings throughout New Jersey.

NJ PBS

Sat, 8/29 @ 7:30 pm

Sun, 8/30 @ 9:30 am

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 8/30 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 8/31 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 9/2 @ 10 am & 3 pm

Images in gif: Gun & Powder Playwright and Music Co-writer- Angelica Chéri / Edward T. Bowser in Le Corbusier’s Paris office in 1949 | Courtesy: the Bowser family / Artwork by Jack Larimore, photographed by Myles Pettengill

Find out where (and how) to watch!

A Month of Music

This month, we're sharing live music previously featured on State of the Arts!

State of the Arts looks back at an extraordinary interview with Rosanne Cash, filmed just 2 months after her father died. The singer reflects on her childhood, creativity, motherhood, her own reluctant path to the stage, and her relationship with her legendary father. Watch here.

On the Blog

In this highlight from our blog, we celebrate the achievements of four award-winning women: jazz vocalist Samara Joy (pictured), writer and artist Nell Irvin Painter, multi-media artist Deborah Jack, and playwright Alice Childress. Read here. | Photo: Meredith Truax

Happening Now

Don't miss Joyce J. Scott: Declarations at the Princeton University Art Museum, up until Jan 10!

Our related story: Joyce J. Scott.

The Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation's 2026 Jazz on The Beach Concert Series runs every Thursday until Sep 3 in Atlantic City! See here for more info.

Our related story: Chicken Bone Beach Jazz.

Voices in Print opens at the Morven Museum & Garden Sep 4, up through Feb 28. This special exhibition features work by Black women printmakers, all with a connection to New Jersey.

Our related stories: Janet Taylor Pickett, Nell Painter, both featured artists

Highlights

“Philip Roth Unbound” was a three-day festival at NJPAC in 2023 that celebrated the great novelist with readings by actors including Matthew Broderick and Peter Riegert, panels led by luminaries including Princeton University historian Sean Wilentz, and a tour of Philip Roth’s Newark.

Our 2023 story: Philip Roth's Newark.

Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa joined forces with his friend, composer and pianist Vince di Mura to create their powerful new symphonic work, Oh God…Beautiful Machine. Commissioned by a champion of Trenton’s art community, Larry Hilton, the musical piece premiered in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey.

Our 2025 story: Oh God...Beautiful Machine.