2023 marks Morris Arts' 50th Anniversary! We invite you to celebrate with us throughout the year at our existing arts events, programs, and special Golden Anniversary happenings. Below is a compilation of what's coming up this fall. We look forward to connecting with you through the arts!

Arts In Education

As we celebrate National Arts in Education Week (September 10 - 16, 2023) and gear up for the year ahead, we'd like to reflect on our 2022/23 school year with an overview of our residencies including a spotlight on one of our residency grants.

During the 2022/23 school year, we were proud to have 33 residencies take place in Morris and 7 surrounding counties. These programs brought the arts to 3,756 students and $160,000 in revenue to our teaching artists.

Thanks to the generosity of our funders, Morris Arts was able to award the Carolyn Ward Artist Residency Grant with a grant valued at $4,500 to John Hill School in Boonton. The grant is in honor of a former Morris Arts Executive Director who as an educator herself, valued Arts in Education immensely.

John Hill School selected a Circus Minimus residency with teaching artist Kevin O'Keefe and the entire 3rd grade participated in the program. Under Kevin's guidance, students created their individual acts using tumbling, juggling, partner acrobatics, dance, theater arts, comedy, feats of balance, spinning plates, and human pyramid building to create their very own circus. Parents, classmates, and community members were all invited to celebrate and watch the culminating circus performance. Through the success of the residency, the school has raised their own funding to bring the Circus Residency back for the 2023-24 school year!

As we continue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary season, we are excited to share more of our AIE story. Be on the lookout for photos, videos and general arts education information from us as we head into another exciting school year!

If you are one of our schools, artists or students, be sure to tag us so we can share the arts ed love even more.

If you want to learn more about our Arts in Education programs, please contact Barbara Reuther at [email protected].

Arts In Community

Dover Asphalt Mural Project

From August 24–26, Morris Arts grantees (the Town of Dover and Levitate Creative Services) partnered up to create a 5,000 square foot asphalt mural (the largest in all of New Jersey)!

Alex Dougherty, City Planner Consultant for New Jersey stated, “The placement of the street art was planned with pedestrians in mind. With religious places of assembly, a daycare, elementary school, and sports fields, it's important to put pedestrians first.” Transforming plain asphalt surfaces into visually striking artworks increases the visibility of crosswalks and pedestrian areas, making them more noticeable to drivers. These vibrant and unique murals will act as a visual cue for drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules.

The mural culminated on with the Vivir, Amar, y Pintar! Arts Festival which included music by Idea Cultural and friends, Jazz trumpeter, Willy Carmona, Latin pop singer, Juan Osorio, Hernan Mosquera & friends, El Dr. E. Desma, Tropy Band Orquesta, and also featured 18 vendors.

Thank you to all the partners and artists who made this an unforgettable day filled with creativity, community, and celebration!

Save The Date!

Pumpkin Illumination

Sunday, October 22 (rain date October 29) | 4-8PM

Vail Mansion Reflecting Pool | Free 

An evening of fun for all ages including:

- Art workshop with artist Dan Fenelon
- Live jazz music
- Luminary parade

The lighting of the pumpkins – Pumpkin Illumination! *Don't forget to bring your carved pumpkin!

New This Year!

The Sleepy Hollow Halloween Story

by Kit's Interactive Theatre

Join us on the lawn at 4pm for The Sleepy Hollow Halloween Show as Kit's Interactive Theatre weaves the characters from Washington Irving's classic story into a new and exciting tale. Designed to be spooky (but not scary), the show begins where the original story leaves off and combines storytelling, music, dance, audience participation and a great deal of humor.

Volunteer With Us

Want to connect more with your community? Love the arts?

We have some great volunteer opportunities at our annual events and programs throughout the year as well as flexible office volunteer opportunities.

>>>If interested, please contact Debra Broseker at [email protected] for more information.

Local Arts Grantees Upcoming Events

This year, we awarded $120,500 to 32 organizations in Morris Country. Below is a sampling of some events they produce. Be sure to visit their websites and social channels for additional information and events. Looking to apply for our FY24 Local Art Grants? Applications are available here.

Morris County Historical Society

Morris County Through The Lens Of Time:

A Photographic Journey By Xiomàro

Tues – Thurs: 11AM–4PM; SUN 1–4PM

68 Morris Avenue, Morristown

In this landmark exhibit, nationally acclaimed photographer Xiomàro captures eight of the county's historic sites from new, exciting angles. The never-before-seen work displays the beauty found in the mundane and the poignant traces left behind by generations past.

More Info

Arts By The People

Spotlight

Sundays Beginning on Sept 17 | 3–5PM

The Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Rd, Madison

A quarterly in-person event featuring 4 local writers reading and discussing their latest work. Each writer will be allotted 10 minutes. After the readings there will be an audience Q&A and a book signing.

More Info

County College of Morris Foundation

¡Aquí Estamos! We Are Here!

A Community Arts Showcase celebrating Latinx Heritage Month

September 30 | 7:00PM

Dragonetti Auditorium, Student Center, parking lot 6, CCM, Randolph

An evening where the pride, passion, and talent of our community shine on a grand stage!" - IDEA Cultural, Julian A. Gomez

Vendor showcase 6PM

Live Stage Performances 7:00-9:30PM

More Info

Full Listing Of Grantees

From Our Friends At Sankofa Morris & Morris County Historical Society

Morris County's First County-Wide

Survey Of African American Historic Sites

September 28 | 11AM | Free

Morristown & Morris Township Library

The first of three community engagement workshops. Attendees can learn more, ask questions, and get involved in this first county-wide survey which looks to foster a more accurate and inclusive history of Morris County and its communities.

Workshop 2: October 21 at 10AM | County College of Morris

Workshop 3: November 4 at 10AM | Washington Headquarters Museum Auditorium

More Info

From Our Friends At Morris County Parks Commission

The Living Sculpture: A Seward Johnson Exhibition

Through November 15 | Daily; 10AM–4PM | $10 Donation

Willowwood Arboretum

A special exhibition of artwork by New Jersey artist, Seward Johnson.

Tickets

Call For Artists

Morris County Art Association Members Show

at The Art Upstairs Gallery at Mayo Performing Arts Center

Please send an image of the artwork with the application. All pieces must be original artwork, wired, and ready to hang. Hanging art maximum width 32”, maximum weight 30 lbs. There is a 20% commission on all sales. MCAA has the right to limit the number of artworks accepted for this show based on space and amount of artwork submitted and to reject any artwork for quality reasons.

Must be a member of the Morris County Art Association to be eligible for this exhibit.

Deadline: September 22

Apply

Art in the Atrium, Inc.

"Art for the Heart & Soul" Exhibition at Overlook Hospital

Invitation for Black and Afro-Latino artists to apply for an upcoming in-person 2023 Overlook Hospital Exhibit entitled "Art for the Heart & Soul.” Work must have themes related to uplift, healing, soothing, compassion, hope & love.

Exhibit dates are November 5, 2023 through February 5, 2024.

Deadline: September 30

Apply

Header art: "Read Between the Lines" by Andrea Epstein. Currently part of Color is Joyful Exhibit at our Gallery at 14 Maple.