When Tom Kean and the other founders of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center set out to build it, they knew they’d face plenty of problems. The hardest one, the former governor said, was finding the right person to lead it.
“I recognized all the problems when we conceived this place, but the most important problem we faced was finding the person to put it all together,” Kean said. “John Schreiber has been perfect.”
Kean ticked off the reasons: Schreiber’s knowledge of the arts, his relationship with Newark and its community, how he’s worked with the state and how he has expanded NJPAC’s programs year after year.
“It’s become the best arts center in the country,” Kean said. “John is responsible for that.”
Ray Chambers, another NJPAC founder, admitted he once had his doubts. When founding president Larry Goldman stepped down, the board wondered who could possibly replace him. Chambers only knew Schreiber from a previous entertainment venture — one that had little to do with running an arts institution.
“I said this guy is good, but he doesn’t have any of the experience that Larry has,” Chambers said.
It turned out, Chambers said, that Schreiber connected with everyone.
“He’s just gravitated to everybody — the mayor, the governor, the people in the street — and he’s become exactly what we needed for that point in time,” Chambers said. “And I hate to see him go.”
Fifteen years later, Schreiber is preparing to step down as CEO on July 1, 2027, just as the biggest projects of his tenure, the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center, NJPAC’s campus expansion and Lionsgate Newark, are set to open.
Saturday night, he was the star of the NJPAC Spotlight Gala, which honored him with its Founders Award and raised a record $3.6 million (and counting). The night also advanced the push to fully endow the $100 million John Schreiber Social Impact Fund, which will permanently fund NJPAC’s arts education, community engagement and arts-and-wellbeing programs. The fund has topped $75 million in donations. Schreiber considers the fund his greatest legacy.
As Kean put it, looking around the ever-growing campus on a picture-perfect fall night: “This is what John’s done.”
BINJE talked with a number of the state’s top leaders at the gala about what Schreiber has meant to NJPAC, the arts, Newark and New Jersey. Here’s what they said.
Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark: “The kind of relationship that he’s built with the community is unprecedented. He’s proven that diversity works. There a few people in this world whose humanity and sense of purpose overshadows their title; John is one of them.”
Tai Cooper, chief community development officer, N.J. Economic Development Authority: “John has been transformative with what he’s done for Newark and what he’s done for New Jersey and the greater region. Not just with arts, with business, with development, but how he cares so deeply about the people.”
Chris Daggett, longtime state official and philanthropic leader: “When Larry Goldman left, people wondered how NJPAC could ever replace him. Now they’re asking the same question about Schreiber. The second act was better than the first.”
Aisha Glover, global head of urban innovation, Audible, longtime Newark economic development leader: “I think John epitomizes what a cultural institution looks like as an anchor institution, how they can really be sparking economic development in a very intentional way. Just look around. You see it. You feel it.”
Ralph Izzo, former chair, PSEG: “John Schreiber has been an absolute gem, not only for NJPAC, not only for Newark, but for the entire state of New Jersey. The man is brilliant, and combines that with a heart of gold.”
Don Katz, founder and chair, Audible and Newark Venture Partners: “It’s really rare to have a world-class impresario running a cultural institution, but it’s even rarer for somebody who understands economic development, understands the character of the fiber of the city.”
Tim Lizura, senior vice president, real estate and capital projects, NJPAC: “Builders leave a mark on a community, bricks and sticks. John is leaving with more than that; he’s leaving a mark on our culture.”
Charlie Lowrey, former CEO, Prudential, and longtime gala chair: “He’s been gtruly transformative. What he has done for NJPAC in turning it into an anchor institution and this region into an arts-infused neighborhood magnet is incredible. How he’s done it as a leader has been inspirational. I learn so much from him all the time.”
Adam Philipson, CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts: “The smartest thing I can do is copy what works best, and every time I come visit this space, I go back thinking ‘How can we do what he does here.’ There’s no one better than John in the arts community.”
Lata Reddy, chair, the Prudential Foundation: “He is a visionary who knows how to implement and get things done. He’s one of the most collaborative leaders I’ve ever met. And even though he often is the most creative person in the room, he will never make you feel that way. He always wants to hear what you have to say.”
