Section Navigation
Beginning of Main Content
Second Annual Cultural Access Awards
left to right: Tom Muza, Joyce C. Goore, Sharon Burton Turner, Michael Mooney, Arlene Romoff, John McEwen, Ann Mokris, Don Ehman, Steve Steiner, David Miller, Steve Runk, Natalie Watson, Esq. Photo by Jerry Dalia. (hover over picture for full caption)The Cultural Access Network of New Jersey, a cosponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts honored two organizations and two individuals at the inspiring second annual Cultural Access Awards Breakfast on Thursday, June 24th at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Sharon Burton-Turner, Chairwoman of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts spoke to the crowd gathered in the beautiful event room at Grounds for Sculpture. “One of the key roles of a public arts funding agency like the Council is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to pursue their inborn creative impulse and to realize that birthright,” Burton-Turner said before congratulating the day’s honorees “Congratulations to all of you, committed to breaking down barriers so that all people may enjoy the benefits the arts bring to our lives.”
Nominations were submitted to the Network by individuals in the community, and were evaluated by a panel of independent judges.
“In the 16 years since the Cultural Access Network was founded, my colleagues and I have been so inspired by the great strides we have made in this area,” said John McEwen, founder and chairman of the Cultural Access Network, and executive director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. “Our judges had a very hard time selecting just four award recipients; the honorees, and all the nominated organizations and individuals, have operated with the belief that the cultural treasures of our state should reach the greatest number of people regardless of economic constraints, geographic limitations or disability, and they are all doing such great work.”
Ina White and Michael Mooney. Photo by Jerry Dalia. Paper Mill Playhouse was presented with The Sustainer Award for their ongoing commitment, innovation and service to the field. Presented by Ina White, member of the Cultural Access Network committee, the award was accepted by Michael Mooney, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Access and Outreach Coordinator.
The Innovation Award was given to two organizations – both have shown innovation and creativity in a specific area of arts access. Presented by Thomas E. Shaw, Director, Mercer County Office for the Disabled, the first of the two awards were given to Appel Farm Arts and Music Center for their HeArt & Health Initiative, developed in partnership with the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation and several social service organizations, for serving populations with disabilities through the arts. Surflight Theatre was presented with the award for their ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are employed by Surflight, applying for jobs, or attending the theatre are treated fairly and given equal opportunities.
The Leadership Award was presented by CAN founder and Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, John McEwen to Arlene Romoff for her dedication and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for people with hearing loss by helping to bring open captioning to theaters in New Jersey and beyond.
Ali Stroker. Photo by Jerry Dalia.Ali Stroker, a performer who uses a wheelchair, and who has worked at Surflight Theatre performed three songs for the crowd. Before she sang, Ms. Stoker said, “I just want to say that I'm a direct result for what all of you have done. I've been performing since I was 6 and I feel very, very honored to be from New Jersey, because of the amazing opportunities that I've been able to have.”
Bojana Coklyat, an artist and teacher from St. Joseph’s School for the Blind spoke about her experience as an artist who became visually impaired through complications from diabetes. “I've taken this possible weakness – some might say – and I've turned it into a strength. I see things differently than most people would see things; I have a different perspective. Through my vision loss, I've gained so much. I found a new focus in my art career, because I was so close to losing what I love.”
Closing the event, Steve Runk, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts thanked the award winners, speakers and performers. “They remind us of why we're here and doing what we do,” he said. “So every person has the opportunity to experience the incredible benefits the arts provide; especially now as our state and our country navigate through incredible challenges, we look to the arts to uplift our spirits, express our emotions and connect with one another. The arts enrich our lives in many ways, strengthening the economy and helping the next generation prepare for the changing 21st century work force.”
Since 1994, the Cultural Access Network (CAN) has provided services to the state’s cultural community to assist them as they make their facilities and programs more accessible to people with disabilities, and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Training sessions, workshops, and conferences align with information and tools available on the Network’s comprehensive website www.culturalaccessnetwork.org. Patrons can also find all-inclusive listings of accessible cultural events statewide. The innovative programs and services of the Network have earned national recognition and framed New Jersey as a model among their peers in the cultural access field.
The Cultural Access Network’s programs and services are made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support for Cultural Access Network programming is provided by The Horizon Foundation For New Jersey, Discover Jersey Arts, The National Endowment For the Arts, The Kessler Foundation, The Prudential Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Kirby Foundation, the Fund for New Jersey Blind, the New Jersey Division for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement.
End of Article
Return to TopEnd of Main Content
Beginning of Secondary content
Beginning of Footer
The Cultural Access Network is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.