The Burlington County Commissioners continue to provide financial assistance to local organizations that are helping to promote and support the arts.
Last week, the Commissioners approved more than $125,000 in local arts grant awards to 20 organizations planning arts programs and initiatives for the upcoming year.
“The arts are an important part of Burlington County’s culture, economy and the high quality of life that residents enjoy here,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “These grants allow art groups and other nonprofits to continue to operate and provide valuable programs, events and performances that enrich life in our communities.”
“Burlington County believes in the arts and the benefits they bring to our communities and residents,” added Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “The art exhibits, concerts, festivals and programs these grants help support are essential to Burlington County residents’ quality of life and sense of community. We have also seen first-hand how these investments in art and culture create jobs, business activity and community development.”
The local arts grant recipients and award amounts were approved by the Burlington County Commissioners based on recommendations from an independent peer review panel. Grants will be used to support a variety of activities and programs, including general operations, advertising, special exhibits, classes and performances.
Two first-time grant recipients are included in the 2026 funding: The St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mount Holly and the Burlington County 4-H Leadership Council.
All 20 organizations that applied for grants received funding. The grant program was created more than four decades ago and relies on aid the County receives from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The local organizations approved to receive 2026 grants include:
Bridge Players Theater Company, Burlington: $8,000 to expand outreach and community engagement with underrepresented groups.
Burlington County 4-H Leaders Council: $2,000 to support 4-H Art Initiative. The program features a series of workshops, showcases and events that allow participants to explore different art disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance and theater.
Burlington County Footlighters, Cinnaminson: $6,000 to support general operations of the nonprofit theater company, including its education programs, productions and administration.
Burlington County Saint Patrck’s Day Parade Committee: $7,000 to support engaging residents through the annual parade, concerts, festivals, and educational activities, with meaningful opportunities for cultural enrichment, community connection, and preservation of Irish heritage.
Golden Eagle Band, Mount Holly: $2,500 to support operations of the community band, including its annual concert series and performances at local community events.
Haaf Family Arts Foundation, Beverly: $5,000 to support organization events and programs, including 5th Annual Beverly Blues Festival, kids art camp and touring Shakespeare show.
In FACT Inc., Willingboro: $7,000 to support the organization Folk Arts Series, including its Tale of Two Tastes cultural foods event, urban line dance festival, storytelling concert and Kwanzaa Festival.
Lyceum Arts, Burlington City: $9,000 to support the multi-disciplinary arts programs, including concerts, arts exhibits and theater arts education program.
Main Street Mount Holly, Mount Holly: $6,000 to support the organization’s mural programs to design and create new murals in Mount Holly’s downtown and to restore and maintain existing murals in the town.
Medford Arts Center, Medford: $9,000 for general operating support for the community arts studio and gallery, including affordable arts education classes, exhibitions and community programs.
Mill Race Village Arts and Preservation Inc., Mount Holly: $7,000 to support the Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival, a free, fully accessible community event that showcases diverse artforms.
Moorestown Theater Company, Moorestown: $9,000 for general operations support of the community theater organization and its programming.
Roebling Museum, Florence: $9,000 to support the museum’s Artist in Residence program that provides opportunities for local and regional artists to create works inspired by Roebling’s historic company town or steel mill.
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Mount Holly: $2,000 to support the church’s concert series and its goal of sharing fine musical performances with residents who might not otherwise be able to access such experiences.
Servicios Latinos de Burlington County, Westampton: $6,000 to support the nonprofit’s annual Latino and Hispanic Heritage Festival featuring food, live music, folk dancers, children’s activities, information tables and health screenings.
South Jersey Pops, Evesham: $6,000 for general operations support to expand outreach to grow the orchestra and its audience.
West Jersey Chamber Music Society, Moorestown: $4,500 for general operations support to aid the organization with its planned programming, including a February concert of African American spirituals and April concert of J.S. Bach music featuring an orchestra, chorus and soloists.
West Jersey Music Academy, Moorestown: $9,000 to aid the organization’s music instruction program for students with special needs, including intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Pemberton Township: $9,000 to support the group’s 2026 community arts programming featuring visual artists and musicians.
Willingboro Arts Alliance, Willingboro: $2,500 for general operations support for the organization’s year-round classes, open studios, art exhibitions and educational presentations/workshops, including virtual programs designed to reach homebound individuals.
In addition to the local grants, Burlington County supports the arts with its own lineup of art exhibits, programs, classes and performances. These include the Burlington County Summer Concerts Series, Arts After Dark festival, Autumn Lands, May Faire and Winter Fest celebrations.
For 2026, the County is also planning a special celebration of the United States’ 250th Anniversary. The festival will be held on June 14 in downtown Mount Holly.
Listings of all County events and activities can be found in the Burlington County Parks seasonal program guide available online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/235/Parks .