The NJ State Teen Arts Festival. which began in the mid-1970s, will be returning this year for the first time since 2010 on June, 1, 2 & 3, 2016 at Ocean County College in Toms River. This annual event celebrates and honors New Jersey’s Young Teen Artists. The Festival is the culmination of a series of 15 local county festivals in which teen artists (ages 13-19) perform and exhibit their work for critical review by professional artists in each field. Performances in dance, theatre, instrumental music and vocal music will be presented and students work in 2-D visual arts, sculpture, photography, filmmaking and creative writing will be displayed. Over 30,000 students will participate in these local county festivals. The very best of these students will be invited to participate in the NJ State Teen Arts Festival. It is anticipated that 5,000-6,000 students will attend the State Festival as performers, exhibitors or general audience members.
This year the Festival will be awarding $1,000 Dodge Scholarships to high school seniors and juniors selected as the very best in each art form. There will also be an “Arts Educator of The Year” award which will include a cash stipend of $1,500. This award will be for a New Jersey arts educator who has transformed their school or district by their dedication to the teaching of an art form. Attached here is a flyer for the Festival and a nominating form for the Arts Educator award. Additional information on the Festival is available from the Arts & Education Center, 732-566-2787.