NJArts.net turns 3 years old, with much progress and a long way to go

Today marks the third anniversary of NJArts.net, so let me take a moment to look at what the site has accomplished, and where it’s going.

We passed the 2,000-post mark recently. Needless to say, that’s a lot of content — all focused on New Jersey arts. There are also 96 informational pages (mostly featuring show listings) that are updated daily, and a newsletter that goes out two to three times a week.

We’ve seen, in the last year particularly, the site really growing, in terms of the number of people involved. Cindy Stagoff continues to work tirelessly as our marketing and advertising director. Also, Bob Makin has beefed up our coverage of indie Jersey musicians by contributing one to three of his Makin Waves columns a week, and Tom Skevin has taken the lead role in organizing the second “Jay’s Jersey Jams” NJArts.net benefit concert at Crossroads in Garwood, Oct. 1, featuring the Shockenaw Mountain Boys, Tony Trischka, Barry Mitterhoff, Lisa Bouchelle, Kinderhook, Marvin Sunk and Geoff Doubleday.

In addition to me, those who have written for the site, in its three years, have included (in alphabetical order) Ray Andersen, Danny Coleman, Robert Ferraro, Robert Johnson, Stewart King, Mike Lustig, Sarah Lustig, Bob Makin, Eldonie S. Mason, Tris McCall, Helen O’Shea, Jennifer Pricci, Ed Silverman, Tom Skevin, Cindy Stagoff and Jim Testa. Wes Orshoski has also become a valuable member of the NJArt.net team through his concert photography. It looks like the site will also have at least two more regular contributors, soon. I am grateful to all, and hopeful that we can all keep NJArts.net going strong together.

Thanks, too, to Dennis Laverty, for premiering his great video documentaries (including this one on Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes’ early years) on NJArts.net; and to the 100th Monkey Foundation for organizing a Beatles-themed benefit for NJArts.net at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair.

And, most of all, thanks to all of our advertisers and donors: Too many to mention, but that’s the foundation upon which the site of built.

Now the bad news.

In spite of all the great efforts of everyone involved, NJArts.net is still not making enough money. I’ve got to take time that I would like to be devoting to the site to do outside freelance writing projects, to help with my cash flow. And even so, my debts are piling up.

I’ve done it before many times, and I hate doing it, but I’ve got to do it again: Please, if you’re able to donate any money to help keep NJArts.net going, you can do so on the site’s Friends & Supporters page.

I think most or all of us would agree that arts coverage in mainstream media is continuing to deteriorate. By helping to keep alternatives such as NJArts.net strong, you are supporting the entire New Jersey arts world, too.