Jersey City’s arts groups are bringing the mayoral candidates together for a public debate about the future of arts and culture in the city. Non-profits from across the community—ranging from theaters and dance companies to writers, galleries, and festivals—are behind the event. They want the next mayor to take the arts seriously, seeing them as central to the city’s identity and as a driver for community life, education, tourism, and the local economy.
The debate will be held at White Eagle Hall, 337 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302. It’s an in-person event, free to attend, and seats are first-come, first-served. It will run for about two and a half hours, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
The date is Wednesday, October 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Ann Marie Miller of ArtPride NJ will moderate, giving each candidate time to share their plans and respond to specific questions. They’ll also be able to reply to each other directly. The discussion will cover issues that have long challenged the local arts scene: lack of funding from both public and private sources, high housing costs and no affordable options for artists, poor access to resources in some neighborhoods, too little promotion of cultural events, not enough facilities, and weak communication with City Hall on cultural planning.
The effort is led by a broad coalition of community leaders. The Host Committee is chaired by Olga Levina of Jersey City Theater Center and Samuel Pott of Nimbus Dance, Nimbus Arts Center, and the School of Nimbus. The Debate Committee includes:
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Roxy Arrojo, Educational Arts Team
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Meredith Burns, Art House Productions
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Ariel Grossman, Ariel Rivka Dance
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Rachel Poy, Jersey City Writers
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Sean Hagerty, The Curtain
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Heather Wahl, Speranza Theatre Company
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Rimli Roy, Surati for Performing Arts
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Zach Herchen, Con Vivo Music
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Diane Dragone, The Kennedy Dancers, Inc.
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Juan Cartagena & Nanette Hernandez, Segunda Quimbamba Folkloric Center
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Board of Directors, Hudson West Folk Festival
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Anne Trauben & Jim Pustorino, Drawing Rooms Gallery
This debate is more than a campaign stop. It’s a chance for the city’s arts community to make sure its voice is heard—and for residents to see which candidate is ready to make culture part of Jersey City’s future.
