New Jersey Performing Arts Center facts for kids
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New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey
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| Address | 1 Center Street Newark, New Jersey United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°44′25″N 74°10′05″W / 40.7401467°N 74.1679199°W |
| Public transit | NJPAC Station Newark Penn Station |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Prudential Hall: 2,800 Victoria Theatre: 514 The Chase Room: 350 Horizon Theater: 88 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Architect | Barton Myers |
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is a huge performing arts center. It is located in Downtown Newark, Newark, New Jersey. NJPAC is one of the biggest centers of its kind in the United States.
It is the home of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO). Since opening in October 1997, over nine million people have visited NJPAC. This includes more than one million children! The center was built where the old Military Park Hotel used to be.
NJPAC has helped make Newark, New Jersey's largest city, a better place. It is in the city's cultural area, near Military Park. Other cool places nearby include The Newark Museum and the Newark Public Library.
NJPAC has one of the largest arts education programs in the country. It offers training classes, scholarships, and programs for schools. Students, teachers, and families can work with professional artists. They can learn about music, theater, dance, poetry, and more!
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Cool Performance Spaces
NJPAC has several different halls where shows take place. Each hall is designed for different types of performances.
- Prudential Hall: This is the largest hall with 2,800 seats. It has four levels of seating. This hall is perfect for big shows like opera, ballet, and symphony concerts. The stage can change to fit different performances.
- Victoria Theatre: This theater has 514 seats. It is used for plays, jazz concerts, and modern dance. The theater can adjust its sound to make every show sound great.
- The Chase Room: This room has 350 seats. It hosts cabaret shows, hip hop festivals, and spoken word events.
- Horizon Theater: This is a smaller, flexible theater with 88 seats. It is called a "black box" theater because it can be set up in many ways.
How NJPAC Began
The State of New Jersey decided to build a world-class arts center in 1986. They wanted a place that would be great for performances. They chose Newark because many people live nearby. It was also easy to reach by highways and trains.
A big reason for choosing Newark was to help the city grow. NJPAC was meant to bring people back to the area. It also created many jobs. The planners wanted the center to be a part of the city. They wanted people to walk around and enjoy the area.
The main architect chosen was Barton Myers. He was known for designing theaters. He used materials like brick, steel, and glass. These materials showed Newark's history as an industrial city.
Construction started in 1995 and finished in 1997. When it opened, many people loved it. The New Yorker magazine even said it had one of the best modern concert halls.
A famous sculpture called First Landing Party of the Founders of Newark is on the NJPAC grounds. It was created by Gutzon Borglum. This sculpture was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1994. It was restored and returned to NJPAC in 2016.
Amazing Shows and Artists
Since NJPAC opened, many famous artists and groups have performed there. Some of these include:
- Music stars like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Sting, and Elvis Costello.
- Dance companies like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
- Classical musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.
- Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Hart.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performs a regular season at NJPAC. NJPAC has welcomed over 9 million visitors since 1997. This includes 1 million children!
In 2017, NJPAC started working with Madison Marquette. This company helps with arts events in Asbury Park. NJPAC now helps bring live shows and arts education to that city too.
NJPAC also offers many free events. These include dance workshops for all ages and concerts by talented musicians.
Fun Festivals and Events
NJPAC hosts many exciting festivals and special events throughout the year.
TD James Moody Jazz Festival
The James Moody Jazz Festival happens every year. It started in 2012. This festival honors James Moody (saxophonist), a famous jazz musician from Newark. It was Newark's first big jazz festival in 15 years!
North to Shore Festival
NJPAC helps put on the North to Shore festival. This festival takes place every year in three New Jersey cities: Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City.
Other Cool Events
The Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival has been held at NJPAC. This festival brings together many poets and poetry lovers.
In 2011, NJPAC hosted the Newark Peace Education Summit. The 14th Dalai Lama was one of the special guests! NJPAC also hosted the seventh season of the TV show America's Got Talent.
Every summer, NJPAC has a free outdoor music festival. It's called Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City. These free concerts happen every Thursday night in July and August.
NJPAC also partners with Fairleigh Dickinson University for the "New Jersey Speaker Series." Famous people like former President Bill Clinton have spoken at this event.
NJPAC's Center for Arts Education
The NJPAC Center for Arts Education is right next to the main building. This is where many classrooms and offices for the arts education programs are. The building was updated in 2001. It has a theater, dance studios, classrooms, and practice rooms. It's a great place for students to learn and grow their artistic skills.
Women's Association of NJPAC
The Women's Association of NJPAC (WA) started in 1994. This was even before the NJPAC building opened! The WA has raised over $50 million for NJPAC and its arts education programs. They have about 2,000 members. They help raise money through events like the Spotlight Gala.
Getting to NJPAC
It's easy to get to NJPAC! The Newark Light Rail has a station right at NJPAC. It's called the NJPAC/Center Street station. This connects the center to other train stations like Broad Street Station and Penn Station Newark.
Lionsgate Newark Studios
In 2022, NJPAC announced an exciting partnership. They are working with Great Point Studios to open a new film and TV studio. It will be called "Lionsgate Newark Studios." This studio will open in 2024. NJPAC will help with public relations and community events for the studio.
See also
- List of New Jersey music venues by capacity
- Newark Symphony Hall
- List of concert halls
