Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission
The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission is dedicated to promoting public interest in local and county history, as well as the arts and cultural traditions of the community, state, and nation.
It administers 3 annual grant programs for Somerset County (SC): the NJ State Council on the Arts State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant, the SC Historic Preservation Grant Program, and the NJ Historical Commission County History Partnership Program Grant.
The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Gallery, along with the Student Gallery at 40 North Bridge, offers exhibit spaces for local artists, providing essential visibility and public recognition. These galleries feature a range of art, including 3-D displays, allowing the public to enjoy exhibitions in a unique setting. Group exhibitions from established Somerset County organizations are welcomed, and juried exhibitions invite local artists to showcase their work through well-publicized Calls to Artists.
The Commission also administers the annual Somerset County Teen Arts Festival, an arts education program that offers professionally-led master classes and critique sessions across seven artistic disciplines, benefiting over 1,300 teens. Additionally, the Somerset County's Weekend Journey through the Past is a collaborative heritage tourism program that promotes historical awareness.
To broaden public exposure and diversify interest in the arts, the Commission initiated the Gallery 24/7: Art on Traffic Control Boxes project. This public art initiative expands exhibition opportunities for New Jersey visual artists and attracts tourism to Somerset County. The biennial Excellence in the Arts Awards Program celebrates individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the visibility and viability of the Fine and Performing Arts in Somerset County. Similarly, the Historic Preservation and History Awards Program recognizes contributions to preserving the county's rich history.
The Commission maintains a comprehensive survey of all historic sites in Somerset County and updates public resource directories, including the Guide to Somerset County Fine and Performing Arts Organizations and the Guide to Somerset County History and Preservation Organizations.
