Discover Jersey Arts Quest leads participants on arts-based scavenger hunt throughout state

In conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month, Gov. Christie has again officially proclaimed October as Discover Jersey Arts Month. The designation, supported by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, honors the importance of the arts culture in the Garden State, including the economic, educational and civic engagement values that the arts convey.

Photo via Jersey Arts
The Quest incorporates
29 different destinations.

“Governor Christie’s proclamation does more than merely acknowledge the arts in New Jersey,” Ann Marie Miller, executive director of ArtPride, stated in a release. “The declaration outlines how vital the arts are to our towns and cities; the unique role the arts play in the lives of our families, our communities and our state; and how the benefits of the arts reach every resident of the state.

“The arts enhance and enrich all of our lives and affect every aspect of those lives,” she added. “From helping our children excel in school to creating economic vitality, driving job creation to advancing creative problem-solving, the arts create healthy, thriving societies.”

Citizens are encouraged to join the month-long celebration by taking part in the different aspects of the arts offered throughout the state. A mobile-based scavenger hunt known as the Discover Jersey Arts Quest, implemented by ArtPride in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, sends participants across New Jersey to discover 29 different arts destinations, spread out over the 7,787 square miles of the state. Each site features a QR code that participants scan to “capture” the location through a mobile app. Whoever captures the most locations in the Quest will receive a $150 gift certificate to the participating arts venue of his or her choice.

“We were looking for a new way to celebrate October’s designation as Discover Jersey Arts Month,” said Jim Atkinson, director of programs and services for ArtPride. “A mobile-based scavenger hunt seemed like a fun way to get people out and discovering the riches our cultural community has to offer.”

Although the quest is free, Nick Paleologos, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, said participants will certainly be interested in sticking around during visits.

“You won’t receive extra points for buying a ticket, but we’re sure that once you uncover some of these treasures, you’re going to want to come back,” he said.

“From sculpture gardens to glass museums, modern dance to classic ballet and Mozart to hip-hop, the Garden State has it all,” Miller added. “You don’t have to go far to find great arts in New Jersey.”

To download the Quest app, visit jerseyarts.com/quest.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.