The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is Seeking a Mission-aligned Partner to Work with on a Multi-year Project Addressing Two Major Artist Services Goals

Request for Proposals:

Individual Artist Fellowship Program Administration and Artist Service Organization Feasibility Study



Open Office Hours: January 12 and 16, 2026

Application Request Deadline:

February 5, 2026, Noon ET

Proposal Deadline:

February 12, 2026, Noon ET

The State Arts Council is now accepting proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations to partner in the administration of its Individual Artist Fellowship program, and to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the feasibility of establishing an artist service organization in our state.

For over 50 years, the State Arts Council has awarded Fellowships to New Jersey artists, helping them pursue their professional and artistic goals. A cornerstone of the Council's support for individual artists, the most recent round awarded $2 million to over 200 artists through a competitive and anonymous evaluation process by independent panelists.

Recognizing the need for ongoing, comprehensive services for artists living and working in New Jersey, the Council is committed to identifying the appropriate partner to explore the possibility of establishing an organization/entity with the mission to support individual artists working at all career stages and in all artistic disciplines, statewide.

The complete RFP is available in both English and Spanish below:



Open Office Hours

Open Office Hours provide the opportunity to meet virtually with Council Staff and get technical assistance. There are two sessions scheduled.

Register for one below:



The program staff below are available to answer your questions:

Danielle Bursk, Director of Community Partnerships and Artist Services

609-633-1184 | danielle.bursk@sos.nj.gov (NJ Relay 711).

Stephanie Nerbak, Artist Services Manager

609-292-4474 | stephanie.nerbak@sos.nj.gov (NJ Relay 711).

Automated captioning will be made available in the Zoom virtual platform. For information about viewing captions in Zoom, please click here.

If you require additional accessibility services, contact State Arts Council Access Coordinator Lindsay Dandeo at least two weeks prior to the event date:

lindsay.dandeo@sos.nj.gov | 609-984-7020 (NJ Relay 711)

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

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