On the second Saturday of every month from April to October, the Arts Guild of New Jersey will be showcasing the best of New Jersey arts and culture along the Delaware River in Burlington City.
This new initiative, funded by the N.J. Economic Development Authority and supported by the local business improvement district, will utilize a growing local economy, mass transit and the arts to create an arts destination for the region.
The project brings together several community partners, including Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, The Dime, the Burlington City Historical Society, the Quaker Meeting House, Infact Inc, Main Street, and Visit South Jersey.
All events are free and open to the public.
Nisha Ray, the president of the board of directors for the Arts Guild of New Jersey, said bringing several organizations together for a common cause has huge benefit.
Ray said Second Saturdays will make Burlington City a beacon throughout the region for the best and the brightest artists in the state.
These events will grow and expand the town’s offerings while the Arts Guild of New Jersey is building a destination for art lovers of all walks of life. This new series of events will also feature food and fun for the whole family and be a third place for community to gather while being able to patronize and support a growing list of small businesses and restaurants.
“Collaboration and partnerships by local leaders, stakeholders and state agencies to bolster the arts in Burlington City has been a dream of Arts Guild NJ and we could not make this dream a reality without the help of EDA,” she said. “Being able to take the RiverLine to Burlington City, immerse yourself in the arts and patronize local businesses is an ideal way to spend your Saturday and help us organically support and grow our community and most importantly give a stage for some the region’s most talented artists.”
This new monthly offering is rooted in creating a sense of place for residents around the arts and working with a team of organizations and stakeholders to create one of the largest cultural offerings in the state every second Saturday of the month.
In conjunction with the EDA, Main Street Burlington and Arts Guild New Jersey, Second Saturday will turn the city’s downtown into an artist community with offerings and performances for everyone. Arts Guild New Jersey was awarded a $500,000 grant from EDA’s ART Phase II program to support a large-scale arts and cultural revitalization initiative in Burlington City.
“Arts and culture offerings are an economic driver for communities throughout the state, bringing people into downtowns and main streets, boosting small businesses, and bolstering neighborhood vitality,” EDA CEO Evan Weiss said. “Through the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program Phase 2, the NJEDA is proud to support local cultural events like Second Saturdays, which will support Burlington City’s economic growth and advance Governor Mikie Sherrill’s mission of creating environments where small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive.”
Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway said this type of activation and programming in the city is extremely beneficial to making the municipality a destination in the region. He praised the investment, calling it a major boost for the city’s arts economy.
“The arts are the lifeblood of our society and creating robust offerings that people can easily access will provide everyone in the state the opportunity to not only experience the arts, but also come and patronize our local businesses,” he said. “If you think you know Burlington City on the Second Saturday of every month you’ll need to think again to see everything we have to offer. Come for the arts, stay for dinner and shopping.”
State Sen. Troy Singleton has been a lifelong supporter of the arts and talked about the new event schedule for Second Saturdays. “Congratulations to Arts Guild New Jersey on securing this significant grant, which will help enhance Burlington City’s historic sites, rich heritage, and creative spirit,” he said. “Undoubtedly, this investment in arts and culture will drive meaningful economic development, support local businesses, and attract new visitors to the area. Ultimately, this funding will ensure that the arts remain a powerful engine for opportunity and revitalization in Burlington City and beyond.”
