What does every piece of successful art have in common? Its ability to excite, inspire, and energize. The same can be said for Monmouth Arts, a blossoming nonprofit organization that promotes the integration of art and community right here in Monmouth County.
Monmouth Arts just recently moved to 107 Monmouth Street, right next to Count Basie Theatre. The new space is a perfect fit for the community-oriented organization.
The new office is a mix of bright colors and cubicle spaces, with paintings hanging on one wall. This tiny gallery, called Artspace 105, features work of new artists in the community, one of many new programs that points to the continued success of the organization.
The fun and inviting location of Monmouth Arts parallels its objective in the local community: to make art more accessible to the public.
Tammy Laverty, who has been the marketing and communications manager for Monmouth Arts for the last three years, is thrilled about the impact of their new location. “Our new location is fantastic,” she said. “It’s easier to find us and we have more visitors.”
Tammy handles the organization’s branding and digital communication needs, and she is the first marketing and communication manager for Monmouth Arts.
“I’m a very community-minded person,” Tammy said. “Monmouth County is a very exciting place to be and Monmouth Arts supports arts groups all around the county.”
But you might be surprised at how this organization funded their move to the new location. Tammy notes that the move to 107 Monmouth Street was entirely crowd-funded from an Indiegogo campaign, which is a fundraising site where people can donate and watch as the funds for their organization grow. A rather noteworthy feat for a nonprofit, it highlights the sense of community that has been cultivated in Monmouth County as a result of many of the organization’s programs.
“We’re stronger together,” Tammy said. “If you’re enjoying an arts event in Monmouth County, you are probably enjoying an event sponsored by us.”
Monmouth Arts focuses on the goal of strengthening, engaging, connecting, and advocating the arts in Monmouth County. Although it might appear to be a rather daunting task, the organization has plenty in the works for the upcoming year.
Right now, Monmouth Arts is gearing up for the Teen Arts Festival, which will take place on March 18 and 19.
“It brings 2500 students to Brookdale to celebrate the arts,” Tammy said.
But it doesn’t stop there. Monmouth Arts is also in the midst of promoting The MoCo Arts Corridor, which is aimed at making Monmouth County a cultural location for the arts. MoCo Arts, which operates under the slogan “Let’s go MoCo,” is aimed at “leveraging the economic power that the arts creates for the good of the entire community,” according to their website moconj.org.
“Right now we are promoting membership,” Tammy said. “We want people to join us.” If you are looking to become a member of Monmouth Arts, you can find more information at monmoutharts.org.
Tammy, an avid enjoyer of TED Talks, expressed enthusiasm about TEDxNavesink and its role in the local community. “It’s very exciting,” she said. “It brings a lot of great energy and creative minds together.”
TedxNavesink: Accelerators is Saturday, April 11. Buy your tickets before it’s too late and participate in a creative event right here in Monmouth County.
Rachel Dean
is a sophomore at Monmouth University where she works as a Residential Advisor. She is pursuing her degree in Communication and PR/Journalism. She is originally from Danbury, CT.