All Around Support for Union County

For their 12th year with the program, Coordinator Libby Reid was determined to increase this year’s participation numbers for our Union County, NJ exhibition. After a lot of brainstorming and a few conference calls, Libby decided that with all the budget cuts and layoffs, the best way for her to get the word out about the upcoming National Arts Program® exhibit would be acquire someone to help her with the promotion.  Utilizing some of the Non-Matching Scholarship funds provided by the NAP, she was able to hire a freelance artist who was familiar with the program to assist her with not only the promotion, but the installation and breakdown of the show.  With this additional help, Libby was able to increase their participation numbers by 54% and the number of pieces by 48%.

 

In addition to this extra internal support, our Union County show has always received a huge amount of support from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, many of whom make it a priority to attend the awards reception each year to personally show their admiration for the employees and their family members who participate in the annual event.  In particular Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board, has attended numerous receptions over the years and personally congratulated hundreds of participants.  When asked about the show Bette replied, “This show offers a chance for our Union County employees and family members to shine.  The artwork that they do in their spare time is outstanding, and we are proud to display it in the beautiful atrium space of the Liberty Hall Center.”

 

The NAP is grateful for the continued support of local leadership and for coordinators like Libby, who after 12 years of organizing the NAP exhibition are still trying to finds ways to improve the show for everyone involved.  We hope that the show continues to provide an opportunity for Union County employees to display their artistic talents for the next 12 years!