You undoubtedly know the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank for its world-class shows, featuring artists from a variety of genres who perform on its main stage and its accompanying smaller venue, the Vogel.
Here’s what you may not know: The Count Basie Center for the Arts engages with more than 20,000 students every year through classes, special programs and school partnerships.
That support also includes scholarships. The Basie Center has awarded more than 400 grants (totaling more than $250,000) in the past 18 months.
And those classes serve more than just students: The Basie Center offers classes for all ages in an inviting, professional environment.
Simply put, the Count Basie Center for the Arts represents a nonprofit at its finest — an organization whose mission improves the communities it serves in a variety of ways.
CEO Adam Philipson proudly states the vision of the organization.
“Everything we do at the Basie Center begins with the belief that the arts should be accessible to everyone,” he said. “Our nonprofit mission drives us to remove barriers and open doors so every member of our community can experience the power of creativity.”
Thankfully for the state, the Count Basie Center for the Arts is not alone in this cause.
This holiday season, BINJE is featuring two dozen nonprofit entities that serve a variety of needs throughout the state.
Scan through our print or digital edition to see their stories. And if you are so moved, please consider ways you can help their cause. And do the same for other nonprofits that are near and dear to the missions you care about.
In Central Jersey, the Count Basie Center for the Arts is a good place to start.
“We know arts are vital for the health and wellness of a community because they offer connection, creativity, emotional expression and a sense of belonging that strengthens people and the places they call home,” Philipson said.
“We are proud to serve as a cultural and community anchor by using the arts and storytelling to foster belonging and spark shared experiences that spotlight our shared humanity.”
The avenues for this effort are everywhere.
Phoenix Productions. the Count Basie Center’s community theatre company, and the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music are great examples of its community and education offerings, along with its partnership with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.
“We support the region’s creative pipeline, by providing performance opportunities for emerging artists, local talent and cultural groups,” Philipson said.
And the Basie Center does it while helping other groups.
“We partner with other mission-driven nonprofits, community groups and social-service organizations to foster connections and experiences where everyone feels they belong,” Philipson said.
That’s a great message for this time of year.
One that the other nonprofits featured here certainly share.
And we’re all grateful that they do.
How to support
Here’s how you can help the Count Basie Center for the Arts create shared educational, artistic and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding and joy: thebasie.org/donate.
