Art Comes of Age in America

This Week's Broadcasts

America was still a young country as the 20th century dawned, and the cultural influence of Europe was strong—but change was afoot in the art world. This special episode of State of the Arts takes a look back at that time, from the impact of the 1913 Armory Show, which introduced radical new trends in art, to early modernist American works that continue to inspire artists today: Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” (1938) and Martha Graham’s iconic “Appalachian Spring” (1944).

NJ PBS

Thurs, 11/28 @ 11:30 pm

Sat, 11/30 @ 7:30 pm

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 12/1 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 12/2 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 12/4 @ 10 am & 3 pm

Images in gif:

1. At Play Barnegat Bay by Carl Buergerniss c.1912

2. Our Town at the George Street Playhouse

3. Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring photographed by Melissa Sherwood

Dance Highlights

This month, we're dancing through the State of the Arts archives!

The New Jersey Ballet, celebrating its 65th anniversary, explores new directions with the premiere of Lauren Lovette’s Jewel Box at NJPAC, in Newark and at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Lovette was a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and in now the resident choreographer for the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Jewel Box is set to the music of Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning composer Kevin Puts and evokes the working of a music box using a fascinating blend of traditional and modern ballet movements.

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Happening Now

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Heritage Fellowships! Find out more here, and see all nine of our recent stories about the 2024 NJ Heritage Fellows here.

Join Mudgirls Studios for their annual holiday sale at Josie Kelly's Public House in Somers Point Sat, Dec 7 from 10 am to 2 pm!

Our related story: Mudgirls Studios

Don’t miss Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company at the Jersey City Theater Center Dec 15 as they celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year in "Red Firecrackers."

Catch up on some of the best of State of the Arts

Renowned figurative artist Philemona Williamson’s studio is in East Orange. For years, the artist didn’t talk about her unusual New York upbringing, but in her paintings, she’s finally opening up.

Our 2023 story: Philemona Williamson

“Growing up in the inner-city of Trenton, my only escape from the negative images that plagued my community was through art.” – Will Kasso. Photo: Ira L. Black

Our 2017 story: Kasso's Journey

Did you know you can watch our past features online? You can catch all of our stories and full documentaries on our Youtube channel and website, or on PBS.org.

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Pictured: Storyteller Queen Nur

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....going on location with New Jersey's most creative people!

Producers Circle:

Pheasant Hill Foundation

Philip E. Lian & Joan L. Mueller

in memory of

Judith McCartin Scheide

Peter A. Benoliel & Willo Carey

Monica & Carlos Camin

Melanie & John Clarke

Elizabeth G. Christopherson

Hella & Scott McVay

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, encouraging excellence and public engagement in the arts since 1966, is proud to co-produce State of the Arts with Stockton University, New Jersey's distinctive public university, in cooperation with PCK Media.

Additional support is provided by: Friends of State of the Arts

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