We know that the arts have played a key role in the revitalization of our cities to keep them vibrant and welcoming to new businesses and newcomers, while enriching the lives of current residents. Supporting a city’s artists is economically logical and, for me at least, personal as well.

In October of 2001, I attended the Trenton Arts Collective’s (TAC) Arts Forum. Two years later I chose Trenton’s revitalization as the topic for my final project seminar and thesis in graduate school. (Among the many talented professionals who received a Masters degree from Rider University that year (many of whom were night students) was a future First Lady of Trenton!)

I combined research and personal interviews with the Deputy Planning Director of Akron, Ohio, Acting Executive Director of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design in Washington, D.C., and city planners in Akron, Charleston, New Orleans, and Alexandria, Virginia, to compare the challenges of budget cuts, community response and other factors with those of Trenton, New Jersey at the time. Additional interviews with finance officials, planning advisors, program assistants, arts administrators, a theatre general manager, Chief of Staff, college Provost and Board President, provided a balanced and diverse perspective from different levels of city government from several different mid-sized American cities.

I still have a copy of TAC’s 2003 three to five year blueprint for developing the Trenton area through the arts.

This strategy has proven to be effective in many other cities in the tristate area: since its conception over a quarter of a century ago, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has become a cornerstone in city revitalization.

Paul Levy, Executive Director of the Center City District in Philadelphia in the early 2000s spoke at the Arts Forum about the process and results of revitalization in Center City.

Held at 25 South Stockton Street-at that time, the New Jersey Network (NJN) Building, but currently the primary location for invoicing for the State of New Jersey contracts- TAC’s mission was “to transform Trenton into a center for the arts through nurturing the success of visual and performing artists, and creating a strong, physical setting for the arts” (TAC Arts Forum blueprint, 2003).

Trenton’s “Art All Night” provides a great opportunity to join the continual effort to revitalize our city by enjoying live music and performances with interactive features, at The Patriots’ Theatre on One Memorial Drive in Trenton, June 28th 3:00 p.m. to 12 a.m.

and June 29th from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. With this year’s theme as “Old Habits Die Hard”, this free 24-hour arts event also includes the virtual “Vibes All Night” on June 29th 12 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. from the “Art All Night” website and various social media sites. Enjoy the arts gallery, with photography, painting, sculpture, and other visual art, live performances, and a variety of film genres from independent, student, and feature films, to short animation, skate videos, web series, and more!

In-person events on June 29th will be held at 13 West Front Street. Vendors will be there too!

Volunteer to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of the exciting activities!

Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Nayette Windley at nwindley.artworkstrenton@gmail.com.

And if you’re interested in helping to film and document the event, contact Tisha Linares at marketing@artworkstrenton.com.

No experience needed.

(*Please note, you must be at least 16 years old at the time of volunteering. 16-17 year-olds must have the consent of

a parent or guardian.*)

For more “Art All Night” information go to:

Instagram@aantrenton

or the “Art All Night” Facebook page

GET INVOLVED WITH “ART ALL NIGHT”! SUPPORT TRENTON’S GROWTH THROUGH THE ARTS!