$100K Headed To Union County Arts, History Groups

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Organizations and artists from Summit, Cranford, Westfield and communities across Union County are set to receive a share of $100,000 in county arts and history funding through the 2026 HEART Grant Program, officials announced this week.

The program — HEART, which stands for History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands — awarded grants to 81 recipients this year, including nonprofits, municipalities, schools, historical organizations and local artists.

Several organizations with ties to Summit, Cranford and Westfield were among the recipients, including the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Vivid Stage, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield Arts Collective and the Union County Historical Society.

Other local recipients included SAGE Eldercare, the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts and the Westfield Public Arts Commission.

Individual artists from towns including Summit, Westfield, Fanwood, New Providence and Plainfield also received grants ranging from $500 to $800.

County officials said the HEART program was created in 1998 to support local arts, humanities and historical initiatives throughout Union County communities.

“We are proud to support the individuals and organizations who create meaningful opportunities for our residents to connect through arts, history, and education,” Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said in a statement.

Additional recipients included libraries, theater groups, cultural organizations and municipalities in Elizabeth, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains and Union.