The FY26 New Jersey Heritage Fellowship recognizes up to ten exceptional folk and traditional artists with one-time awards of $20,000 each. These fellowships celebrate lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and significant contributions to New Jersey’s cultural heritage. Open to individual artists practicing within a specific community or tradition, this award aims to honor those who preserve and advance the state’s living traditional arts.

Eligible nominees must be individual artists, at least 18 years old, and permanent residents of New Jersey at the time of nomination and award. Nominees must also be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and have a proven record of artistic accomplishment within their community. Self-nominations and nominations by others are both accepted. Each nomination must include a nomination form, letters of support, an artist biography or resume, and samples of the nominee’s work. Incomplete or ineligible submissions will not advance to the evaluation panel.

Applications are reviewed based on the nominee's demonstrated artistic excellence, community engagement, and contribution to the survival and evolution of their art form. Successful nominees are practitioners of folk and traditional arts learned and shared informally within their communities, often reflecting a group's cultural identity. Awards are not based on financial need or for specific projects but rather honor sustained artistic contributions.

Key dates include an early review deadline on January 9, 2025, for feedback on eligibility and completeness. The final deadline for all nominations is February 6, 2025, at noon ET. Nominees will be informed of the results in late July 2025, following a panel review process and Arts Council approval. Award recipients must complete their grant paperwork in the state’s SAGE grants portal to finalize their awards.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts provides support through online office hours, in-person workshops, and direct assistance from staff. For more information or to begin the nomination process, contact Sally Van de Water at sally.vandewater@sos.nj.gov or visit the Arts Council's website.