This is the 266th post on NJ.Arts.net, which I launched on Sept. 15 after leaving The Star-Ledger earlier that month. It’s been an encouraging three and a half months, and I’m looking forward to an even better 2015.
I started the site because I felt there was a strong need for it; I feel we’re starting to fill that need, through we still have a long way to go.
In those three and a half months, we’ve covered events from the worlds of pop, rock, jazz, classical music, theater, dance, film, art and poetry. We’ve done the first 101 entries in the daily 350 Jersey Songs series, and had the best and easiest-to-use listings you can find, anywhere on the web, for NJ arts events.
And still, I realize, we could be doing so much more. It all comes down to economics, of course. The more readers I can attract to the site, the more I can charge advertisers, and the more I can pay other writers to contribute.
Can NJArts.net grow to the point where it sustains itself as what it should be: A site offering constant, vibrant coverage of all art forms in New Jersey? We’ve had a good start, but this is the year we really find out.
Thanks to all those who have helped in one way or another, including my partner John Rollins; contributors Tris McCall, Robert Johnson, Jim Testa, Scott Borchert and Stewart King; Debra Galant at NJ News Commons; Kenny Katzgrau at Broadstreet Ads; John Scher and Jonathan Lobdell at Metropolitan Entertainment; Angela Thomas, Katie Sword and Linda Fowler at NJPAC; Kerry Graue at the Prudential Center; Ed Kirchdoerffer at the Mayo Performing Arts Center; Jon Vena at the Count Basie Theatre; Rich “Anything Anything” Russo; Andy Gesner at HIP Video Promo; Brandy Wood at WBGO; Karin Price Mueller at NJMoneyHelp.com; and Matt Mrowicki at Impression Technologies.
Just as importantly, thanks to those who have “liked” or shared stories on Facebook or retweeted on Twitter, since that’s been absolutely essential for the site’s growth.
To reiterate what I wrote in Post No. 1, on Sept. 15, NJArts.net is envisioned as:
“… a web site that provides thorough, quality coverage of the arts, in all their forms, in all parts of the states. A single place you can go for news, previews, reviews, listings, on-sale information and more; that covers all kinds of events, big and small; and actively reaches out to people via social media. A site full of positive energy, but not an unquestioning cheerleader for the state’s artists and cultural institutions.”
You can help make that happen just by following along: reading, and sharing on social media if you like what you read; adding to the discussion in the comments section; suggesting stories, or entries for 350 Jersey Songs.
Let’s have a great 2015 together.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
