Jersey City Mayoral Arts Debate

A coalition of Jersey City's Non-profit Arts Organizations, representing producing organizations, educational organizations, and service organizations, invites the public to hear discusssion and debate between Jersey City mayoral contenders, Wednesday, October 15, 6-8:30pm, at White Eagle Hall. The debate will be moderated by Ann Marie Miller, of ArtPride NJ.

The coaliton of host organizations share a strong conviction that the arts and culture are not only central to Jersey City's character and identity, but also that they play a central role in guiding Jersey City's future as an engine for community-building, economic development, improved youth educational and social outcomes, tourism development, resident retention, and social/spiritual cohesion.

Historically, the arts in Jersey City have faced challenges, among them are:

• Lack of funding (private, foundation, corporate and government)
• Cost of housing and lack of artist housing
• Lack of accessibility, unequal distribution of resources throughout the city
• Lack of visibility/publicity for arts events
• Need for arts facilities / lack of access to arts facilities
• Misalignment and lack of communication and with City Government on cultural initiatives and planning

The debate will be moderated and will provide time for each candidate to outline their strategies, plans and outlook on the arts. The moderator will provide prompts and questions on specific items/areas of focus. Candidates will have an opportunity to respond to each other's planned policies.

Debate Host Committee co-Chairs:

Olga Levina | Co-Founder/Executive Producer | Jersey City Theater Center

Samuel Pott | Founding Artistic Director | Nimbus Dance, Nimbus Arts Center, School of Nimbus

Debate Committee:

Roxy Arrojo | Executive Director | Educational Arts Team

Meredith Burns | |Executive Artistic Director | Art House Productions

Ariel Grossman | Artistic Director | Ariel Rivka Dance

Rachel Poy | President | Jersey City Writers

Sean Hagerty | Producing Artistic Director | The Curtain

Heather Wahl | Founder & Executive Artistic Director | Speranza Theatre Company

Rimli Roy | Founder & Executive Artistic Director | Surati for Performing Arts

Zach Herchen | Artistic Director | Con Vivo Music

Diane Dragone | Executive & Artistic Director | The Kennedy Dancers, Inc.

Juan Cartagena & Nanette Hernandez | Directors | Segunda Quimbamba Folkloric Center

Board of Directors | Hudson West Folk Festival

Bryan Beninghove | Founder & Executive Director | Riverview Jazz & Jersey City Jazz Festival

Anne Trauben & Jim Pustorino | Directors | Drawing Rooms Gallery