Art House Productions, one of Jersey City’s preeminent performing and visual arts organizations, is launching a fundraising campaign June 2, 2023, to raise $500,000 for capital and operating expenditures as it prepares to formally open its new space at 345 Marin Blvd.
“The reopening of Art House Productions and our new home marks an exciting chapter in our organization’s journey,” said Meredith Burns, Executive Artistic Director of Art House Productions. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received thus far and are thrilled to invite the community to be a part of this next phase. Together, we can continue to drive artistic excellence, foster community connections, and create unforgettable experiences for all.”
Art House has received $170,000 in pledges toward its goal from 180 Morgan Street Developers, KVibe Studios, and local philanthropists. Not part of the organization’s operating budget, the half-million-dollar campaign will be used mostly for capital expenditures, such as a security system, according to Burns. The funds will also be used to “accommodate” staff and producers and to restart programs that had been dormant, including children’s arts classes.
Art House Productions’ new two-story home boasts a 99-seat black box theater, visual arts gallery, green room, dressing rooms, multi-use lobby, and office space.
“The new flexbox theater will enable us to present work in four different configurations (proscenium, alley, thrust, and round), and the modular platforms and moveable theater chairs will allow us to clear the space for special events,” Burns said.
On the ground floor of its space on Marin between Bay and Morgan Streets is an art gallery, which will feature 10-12 exhibitions per year (each kicked off with a reception). Art House also runs a playwriting “INKubator” for Jersey City writers, the quarterly citywide arts event JC Fridays (also on tap Friday, June 2, 2023), The Golden Door Film Festival (June 22-24), and even The Jersey City Comedy Festival (June 7-10).
The new facility is expected to host 30,000 visitors annually, an increase of two hundred percent, according to Burns.