MILLVILLE, NJ (August 1, 2016)  – Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center was recently awarded a PNC Arts Alive grant by The PNC Foundation. WheatonArts is one of only 17 arts organizations in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region that was selected for bold thinking around increasing arts access and engagement. Through this grant WheatonArts will present “Wheaton Wide Open,” a series of selected days from September 2016 through August 2017 with free admission for all visitors. Weekend programming during the twelve months of “Wheaton Wide Open” will include Marble Weekend, holiday programming (including the Annual Glass Blast and Studio Sale), free family art workshops, and community-focused event days like PAWS for Art and Eco-Fair.

“Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s thriving arts and cultural scene brings significant value to our economy and to all of us who live, work and play here,” said Jean Canfield, PNC director of client and community relations for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. “Entering into its eighth year, Arts Alive-funded programs continue to strengthen the ability of our arts community to create innovative exhibits and experiences that reach hundreds of thousands of people. We are excited about the new opportunities that will be created by this year’s grant recipients.”

For an eighth straight year, PNC will contribute to large and small arts groups in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region. The grants cover a wide range of disciplines, audiences and participatory experiences. Affordable access to theater and opera performances, art installations, performances in unconventional venues and a mobile studio that offers neighborhood residents hands-on art-making experiences are among the plans for 17 arts organizations receiving a total of $1 million in grants from the PNC Foundation through PNC Arts Alive.               “The PNC Arts Alive grant supports our efforts to advance our mission, to engage artists and audiences in an evolving exploration of creativity, for the benefit of the entire community,” said WheatonArts Executive Director Susan Gogan.  “The Wheaton Wide Open program will ensure that meaningful arts experiences are accessible for all interested in our programs and exhibitions.  The PNC Arts Alive initiative exemplifies PNC’s leadership role in our region as an innovative supporter of the arts. We remain grateful for their partnership and ongoing investment in WheatonArts and the entire region’s arts programs.”                         Since its debut in 2009, the PNC Arts Alive program has committed $8 million to support more than 177 arts programs and 80 organizations to increase access to the arts and culture in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. PNC Arts Alive has supported new exhibitions and festivals, pop-up theater and music performances, mobile arts vans, family arts programs and more throughout the region. Originally envisioned as a five year, $5 million dollar initiative, PNC announced earlier this year that it will extend the program through a total of 10 years and provide $10 million in funding support to local arts organizations.

For more information about PNC Arts Alive and the grant recipients visit www.pncartsalive.com.

For more information about WheatonArts’ ongoing programs and PNC Arts Alive activities, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit wheatonarts.org. WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5p.m., through January 3, 2016. Open July 4 and Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  Please submit requests for press images to wheatonartsnews@wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Please provide two weeks’ notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.  Support for Wheaton Wide Open is provided by the PNC Arts Alive! initiative.

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Click here for a PDF of the WheatonArts & PNC Arts Alive news release.