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Strong community partnerships are at the core of the New Brunswick Cultural Center (NBCC) and its ability to provide Middlesex County residents with diverse and entertaining programs along with public art projects.
“We strongly leverage our partnerships on purpose; this organization is lean by design so we have the opportunity to involve the entire community,” explained Tracey O’Reggio Clark, interim executive director. “We rely on and support each other.”
Windows of Understanding, a community-building public art project that returned for its sixth year in early January, is just an example of how the NBCC and its partners help shape the cultural landscape in New Brunswick and beyond.
For this project, 18 non-profit organizations were paired with an artist facilitator to create original works of art that address issues related to building a healthy community: mental health, food equity, violence prevention, and women’s health.
The works of art are on display at venues throughout New Brunswick - including the Middlesex County Regional Chamber office. Art is also displayed in nearby Highland Park, Metuchen and South Plainfield through April 1.
“Community wellness is front-and-center in the City of New Brunswick,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “With New Brunswick being recognized as ‘The Healthcare City,’ we strongly support any effort to make our residents healthier and better-informed about access to healthcare. Windows of Understanding allows us to communicate this critical message.”
Windows of Understanding is presented in collaboration with the New Brunswick Community Arts Council, Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, the Highland Park Arts Commission, the Metuchen Arts Council and the South Plainfield Cultural Arts Commission.
Participating Organizations: Brady – United Against Gun Violence; Middlesex County Center for Empowerment; Center for Great Expectations; Claymore Vets; New Brunswick Police Department; Elijah’s Promise; For KEEPS program, Saint Peter’s University Hospital; Highland Park Gives a Hoot; NJ Interfaith Center for Cancer Care; Maternal Wraparound Program, UBHC; Mental Health First Aid, Rutgers University; Metuchen Police Department; Moms Demand Action; New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association; REPLENISH; Rutgers Student Food Pantry; South Plainfield Social Services Department; Traumatic Loss Coalition; and Women Aware.
Business hosts include: New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), The Heldrich Hotel & Conference Center, The Yard @ College Ave, New Brunswick Parking Authority, Harvest Moon Restaurant, Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce, New Brunswick City Center, Rite Aid of Highland Park, Johnson & Johnson, Barca City, Eveyln’s Restaurant, Taco House, Mr. Subs, and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services NJ Properties.
Programming partners include: New Brunswick Public School, Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, First Presbyterian Food Pantry, New Brunswick Free Public Library, Mental Health First Aid, Metuchen Human Relations Commission, REPLENISH, Above Art Studios, Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, Women Aware, Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities at Rutgers University, Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance, and Zimmerli Art Museum.
The launch of this social justice public art exhibition is being led by a new component under the violence prevention issue Community Policing through Youth Engagement. A six-paneled “Bridging the Gap” art piece was created at Barca City Café & Bar by New Brunswick High School art teacher David Lago and 20 students from the New Brunswick High School Chapter of the National Art Honor Society. The student artists volunteered their time after school to create a mural that makes a positive connection between the youth and law enforcement.
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