The New Jersey Creative Communities Conference 2025: The Art of Community Well-Being will take place in November at the Culinary Conference Center of Hudson County Community College. This first statewide gathering is dedicated to showing how arts and placemaking can improve community health, vitality, and inclusion.
- The conference will be held this November at Hudson County Community College, running from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- A community leader will be honored for work in public art, development projects, and local philanthropy.
- The program includes four tracks and an interactive art-therapy activity called “Express Yourself.”
Program Highlights
The day begins at 8:30 in the morning with a welcome from college leadership, followed by a plenary session on financing the arts. Presenters from public agencies and cultural organizations will share approaches for keeping arts initiatives strong during times of financial uncertainty.
At midday, during the luncheon, a developer and civic figure will be honored for contributions to public art, historic restoration, mixed-use projects, rotating exhibitions, and community philanthropy. In addition to professional achievements, this leader is also known for volunteer work and nonprofit support throughout the region.
Four Thematic Tracks for Sessions
Conference sessions will follow four central themes:
- Art and Community Health
- Community Economic Development
- Supporting Public and Social Practice Artists
- Inclusive and Accessible Communities
Discussions will cover subjects such as placemaking basics, public art, resilient development strategies, collaborations with artists, cultural centers, hospital programs, creative therapies, downtown arts integration, curating for inclusion, wellness efforts, and accessibility in design.
Throughout the day, including lunchtime and breaks, participants may also take part in “Express Yourself,” a guided art-therapy activity that encourages hands-on creativity.
Registration and Artist Scholarships Available
Conference registration is available at nnjcf.org/njcc25, offering options for general admission, artist passes, exhibitor spaces, and reception tickets. Hudson County Community College students, staff, and faculty may attend free of charge by registering in advance with their college email.
To increase access, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation is offering a limited number of $25 scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to help offset the cost of the artist ticket. Interested applicants should email [email protected] with a short statement of interest and a link to work samples.
