The Educators, Leaders & Changemakers You Need to Know
We're in Week Two of Arts In Our Schools Month — and this week belongs to the heroes. From a dance director who returned to her hometown school to transform lives, to a youth podcast conversation about movement as a first language, to a four-decade legacy of leadership in Newark's public schools — Arts Ed Heroes Week is our chance to shine a light on the educators, leaders, and changemakers who show up every day to ensure young people have access to the arts. And we're just getting started. If you missed any content from Week One, you can find it here.
Heros Week: Celebrating the Educators, Leaders & Changemakers of Arts Ed
We are proud to announce that Governor Mikie Sherrill has officially proclaimed March as Arts in Our Schools Month in the state of New Jersey.
This proclamation affirms what research, educators, and students have long demonstrated — arts education is not a luxury. It is a proven driver of student well-being, engagement, belonging, and academic achievement.
What does it look like when a student returns to her hometown — not just to teach, but to transform? In our latest blog, we sit down with Sabreen T. Mateen, Dance Director at Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts in East Orange, to talk about full-circle journeys, meeting students where they are, and why the arts are never optional. It's a conversation you won't want to miss.
In this episode on our youth led podcast, Art Isn't A Limit cohort 2 Youth Arts Ed Council Member Anisa Monsanto chats with Olubayo Jackson, Educator, Dancer and Filmmaker. They explore how young children naturally use dance and movement as their first languages of communication, and how these creative expressions support their physical development, cognitive growth, and emotional regulation.
Join us this Friday, March 14 on Instagram Live with Margaret El — retired Director of Visual & Performing Arts for Newark Public Schools — as she reflects on more than four decades of leadership, advocacy, and transforming arts education for nearly 40,000 students across 64 schools. From publishing Newark's first district-wide arts education report to forging partnerships with NJPAC and the Newark Museum of Art, Margaret El's legacy is one of vision, persistence, and deep commitment to young people. Tune in as she shares what it takes to fight for the arts — and why it matters now more than ever.
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Advocacy News
New Federal Legislation Aims to Expand Arts and Music Education Access
U.S. Senator Cory Booker and U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez have reintroduced two pieces of legislation — the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution and the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education (GAAME) Act of 2026 — to support and expand access to music and arts education for students nationwide. The GAAME Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to encourage the use of Title I funds for certified arts educators, instruments and supplies, professional development, and sequential arts programs, with a focus on disadvantaged and low-income students. Arts Ed NJ Executive Director Wendy Liscow joined partners across the state in endorsing both measures, stating: "The GAAME Act of 2026 and the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution affirm that creativity, expression, and cultural connection belong in every classroom. When students have consistent access to a robust arts education, schools are stronger, communities are more connected, and young people are better prepared for what lies ahead."
To read the full text of the GAAME Act, click here.
FEA Conference Center, 12 Centre Dr, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
Presenters:
Sandra L. Jacques, Esq., LL.M., Assistant Director of Legal Education NJPSA/FEA; John Worthington, Esq., Coordinator of Special Education Law NJPSA/FEA; Mary Reece, Ed.D, Director of Special Projects, FEA/NJPSA; Courtney Carrelha, Supervisor, Mahwah School District; Nikki Van Ess, Supervisor, Mahwah School District; Dr. Kimberley Harrington Markus, Former NJDOE Commissioner; Wendy Liscow, Executive Director, Arts ED NJ; Kira Rizzuto, Director of Professional Learning, Arts Ed NJ; and Rosie Grant, Executive Director, Paterson Education Fund.
Fee: $195 Member/Non Member
includes light breakfast and lunch
Arts education is not optional—it is a state requirement and a compliance responsibility. As districts confront challenges around student engagement, equity, attendance, and well-being, strong arts programs can also serve as powerful drivers of student success.
This full-day workshop offers school leaders a concise legal overview on arts education in New Jersey, covering standards, special education and 504 considerations, Gifted Students and Multi-Language Learner issues, funding, and practical strategies to sustain and strengthen arts programs while ensuring compliance.
Fee: $195 (member/non-member) including light breakfast and lunch
*Co Sponsored w/ Morris-Union Jointure Commission
Presenters: Kira Rizzuto, Arts Ed NJ Director of Learning Programs & Director of Center for ArtsED SEL Programs & Partnerships; Michelle Van Hoven, Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts, Paterson Public Schools
Arts integration is an effective strategy for cultivating positive climate and culture and deepening student engagement and achievement. This session will immerse participants in the fundamental components of arts integration. Drawing upon New Jersey’s Arts Integration Think and Do Workbook, participants will explore concrete steps they can take to support high impact arts integration.
2026 Mercer County Youth Art Month and Member exhibition at Artworks
Barbara Russo, Danielle Davis, Matthew Pembleton, Co-Chairs, Mercer County Youth Art Month
The Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) proudly celebrates Youth Art Month 2026, highlighting the creativity and talent of student artists across the state. Youth Art Month started with a highly competitive statewide contest to design a flag to represent New Jersey at the National Art Educators Association Convention in Kentucky. The winning design was created by a Mercer County student! The current AENJ Mercer County student art exhibition, hosted by ARTWORKS of Trenton, showcases over 120 remarkable artwork from students throughout Mercer County in grades K- 12. The exhibition provided a platform for young artists to share their visions and interpretations with a wider audience.
The GlassRoots Peters Valley Fellowship is a fully-funded, summer long immersive program designed for artists aged 18-26. This unique opportunity allows participants to explore a diverse range of art-making techniques, including glassblowing, stained glass, blacksmithing, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry design and more. Working between GlassRoots in Newark, NJ and Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ, participants will work closely with professional artists and receive career development support including portfolio building, resume writing and public speaking. Fellows will thrive in a collaborative, creative and supportive environment, benefiting from free tuition, communal housing, meals, and transportation. Additionally, a weekly stipend is provided to ensure Fellows can fully dedicate
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund invites you to a free, participatory grant writing workshop on Thursday, March 26th at Kean University in Union, NJ. This session is designed for leaders, administrators and volunteers at small to mid-sized arts, culture, and history organizations. Lunch will be served.
What to Expect
This grant writing workshop goes beyond the basics to help participants develop compelling narratives that align with funder goals. The content will provide essential skills for researching, planning, and writing better proposals. The grant evaluation process will be discussed in depth, with opportunities for interactive exercises and discussion of real-life examples.
Facilitators
Session will be facilitated by experienced leaders in the arts and culture field with expertise in grants administration and fundraising.
Lynne Toye, Executive Director of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund
Amy Curry, Executive Director of the Morris County Historical Society
Additional support will be provided by Pria Dahiya, Development and Communications Associate with New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and assistance from Gina Beviglia, Program Officer at the F.M. Kirby Foundation.
Join this 1 hr virtual learning series every Wednesday in March on Arts &Leadership!
Grab your lunch and join us for our 4part, virtual learning series every Wednesday inMarch to learn from leaders in the arts advocacy space about their stories of growth within their communities and organization. Celebrate home grown leadership and celebrate community partners. Professional skills that can be taught through their story.
Q&A time built into each session
Moderator: Emmanuel Larose, Prime Factors
Via ZOOM
12 PM-1 PM
Free to AEN Partners
$20 Suggested donation per session for non-partners
(RED BANK / MARCH 3, 2026): Joy Ogunsakin, a senior from Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, was named State Champion at the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals, part of the National Poetry Out Loud recitation program. The adjudication took place on March 3rd at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ.
Joy will represent New Jersey at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C. on April 27 - 29, 2026. State Champions will compete for the national Poetry Out Loud title and the chance to win prizes, including college scholarships.
Evelynn Knox, a sophomore from Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands earned the title of State Runner-Up.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.
