About

The City of Jersey City’s Office of Cultural Affairs is a proponent and advocate for the arts in Jersey City, and serves to provide opportunities, resources, and education for artists of all disciplines.

The Office of Cultural Affairs develops consistent cultural programming and events highlighting Jersey City’s burgeoning arts community while honoring its rich and vibrant cultural history.

In addition to event curation and production, the Office of Cultural Affairs provides support and resources to cultural organizations, individual artists, and small businesses to raise the dialogue on the arts in Jersey City and encourage residents and visitors to invest in Jersey City’s arts and culture.

The Office of Cultural Affairs coordinated and executed numerous art fairs, cultural festivals, flag raisings and performing arts events in 2023. Highlights of these events are captured in the attached Year In Review.
To view The Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2023 Year In Review please, CLICK HERE

2022 Year In Review
The City of Jersey City returned to a full season of programming for the first time since 2019. Cultural Affairs recorded an average attendance increase of 20% (pre-pandemic) at Public Events, while continuing its efforts to grow Jersey City as a regional destination for arts and culture.

To view The Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2022 Year In Review on your desk top (high resolution) please, CLICK HERE
To view The Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2022 Year In Review on a mobile device (low resolution) please, CLICK HERE
This is a collage of pictures from events through 2021

2021 Year In Review
2021 was a year of large initiatives and reconnecting with the community. The Office of Cultural Affairs launched major projects and continued its work of supporting arts and cultural organizations across the city.

To view the Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2021 Year in Review, please CLICK HERE

4 pic collage Flag Raising, JCAST Zoom event, Toy Drive Child with toy, Walk_Bye

2020 Year in Review
In 2020, The Office of Cultural Affairs pivoted to a virtual platform. We produced impactful programming within the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, forging a path to keep the people and communities of Jersey City engaged, connected, and safe.

View the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2020 Year in Review CLICK HERE

Collage of several images. drum playing, people marching on horseback, drummers marching, children dancing in ethnic garb

2019 Year in Review
2019 was a year of new initiatives to serve and support our artists, growing partnerships with cultural organizations, and planting the seeds of long-range planning for our sector.

View the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2019 Year in Review HERE and follow along as we move this work forward into 2020.

Afro American man inf red shirt and red glasses working on a colorful paper mache animal headhr

Jersey City Art & Studio Tour
The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour is New Jersey’s premier art event, featuring over 1,000 local artists across Jersey City. This past year’s tour has grown to include more than 160 stops citywide, including galleries, exhibition spaces, murals and small businesses, of which showcase the vibrant artist landscape.

JCAST provides opportunities for artists, performers, musicians, residents, visitors, supporters, sponsors, and business to get involved in Jersey City’s continually growing and incredibly dynamic arts and cultural scene during a long weekend of events. In years past, the weekend has been packed with free, curated shuttle tours and a celebratory kick-off event at the JCAST Headquarters, which changes neighborhoods each year.

For more information, visit: www.thejcast.com

Mural Collage Waves on a beach, abstract colorful David Bowie, 2 bearded men looking up at the sky

Mural Arts Program
Initiated in 2013 and funded by a Clean Communities Grant, the Mural Arts Program links established and emerging local, national and international mural artists with property owners citywide as part of an innovative beautification program that reduces graffiti, engages local residents and transforms Jersey City into an outdoor art gallery.

From the Heights, to Greenville, to Downtown, to the West Side, to Bergen Lafayette and Journal Square, Jersey City’s cultural scene continues to expand and diversify.

Click here to check out and learn more about jcmap.org.
To view an interactive map, visit www.jcmap.org/our-murals.

Mary McLeod Bethune Center

The Bethune Center became part of the Office of Cultural Affairs in January 2020. Located in the Greenville community of Jersey City, it has become an epicenter for creativity and inspiration. It offers residents and visitors an unparalleled experience to engage in cultural arts, fitness, wellness, and
educational activities. Dedicated to preserving the culture of Jersey City and enhancing interactions amongst diverse groups, The Bethune Center offers
a welcoming atmosphere for adults, seniors, and families. The Center also serves the community by providing space for meetings, workshops, training
seminars, and classes, as well as rental space for private events and expos.

For additional information on the Mary McLeod Center please CLICK HERE

Apple Tree House

The Apple Tree House is a historic home and history museum located in Bergen Square. It has undergone a decades-long, $3.2M restoration. In 2022, the house was passed to the Museum of Jersey City History at Apple Tree House. MJCH will curate exhibitions, public events, theater performances, and panel discussions on the grounds.

CLICK HERE for additional information on The Museum of Jersey City History

Social media:

IG @museumjchistory

Facebook /mjchistory

Performer Collage Man and a woman doing modern dance, Guitar player, and crowd sitting on a lawn waitchinga huge screen

Summer in the City
Each Summer, the Office of Cultural Affairs presents a robust roster of free, live music and performing arts across Jersey City during the months of June, July and August. These events include the long-standing SummerFest on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Liberty State Park, Summer Dance Series on J. Owen Grundy Pier, Movies in the Park and Berry Lane Park Concert Series.

Growing Online Presence


Follow Jersey City’s Office of Cultural Affairs on social media!

Facebook: @JerseyCityCulturalAffairs

Instagram: @jcartandculture

Twitter: @JCArtCulture