SCAHC holding annual giving drive

NEWTON — The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council have launched its Annual Giving Drive to enable to the arts council to continue its mission of “Fostering and promoting the artistic and cultural vitality of Sussex County”.

In order for the gallery to continue to showcase the area artists and crafts artists and the local schools art the council needs money for the basics: lights, heat, rent, maintenance.

The Council also funds 19 County non-profits through a grant received from the N.J. State Council on the Arts. Among the many performing non-profits the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County and the Sussex County Youth Orchestra perform all over the world as well as at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious performing halls in the USA. The Sussex County High Point Harmonizers have won their regional competitions several times and with the Harmony in Motion singers they both perform for many re-habilitation and Long Term facilities in the County. Many of the others: Cameo Productions, Community Choral, New Sussex Symphony, No Strings A Cappella, Sussex County Oratorio Society, Highland Stage and Tri-State Actors perform in many locations in the County. Among the non performing non-profits funds go to the Center for Prevention and Counseling, Karen Ann Quinlan Bereavement Center, K.E.E.P., Newton Medical Center Art Therapy, Project Self-Sufficiency, SCARC, and Sussex County Community College Thursday Nights on the Green, and the Teen Arts Program. In addition to overseeing this large project, there is a successful Summer Art Camp for young people, hold many community events and host many exhibits.

The donation need is great to keep the Arts Council active. Beside monetary donations the council needs volunteers to help in all facets of its operations. The arts council is one of three county agencies in the state are not part of the county government.