The Community-Based Art Grant Program is an initiative designed to enhance public awareness of climate change-induced flooding risks in New Jersey’s coastal communities. This program is a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Coastal Management Program (CMP) and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, with funding provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program aims to use innovative, community-driven art installations to communicate flood risks effectively and promote community resilience.

The primary goal of this initiative is to engage local communities by developing and exhibiting artistic projects that illustrate the impacts of climate change-driven flooding. The program will fund four (4) community-based organizations (CBOs) that will host and promote the installation of temporary art projects. Each selected CBO will be paired with an artist or artist team, who will be chosen through a separate competitive selection process facilitated by the State Arts Council.

CBOs will play a vital role in this initiative, managing grant funds, organizing two key community events—an educational kickoff and a culminating exhibition—and promoting the artwork to ensure public engagement. These organizations will serve as the main point of contact for the artists, oversee project implementation, and ensure that installations align with the program’s core mission of risk communication and climate resilience.

Art installations under this program will be temporary and displayed in designated public spaces within the coastal zone. The installations may include murals, sculptures, light displays, performance art, or community-created projects. To maintain environmental integrity, projects will be assessed through a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, ensuring they do not disturb protected areas such as wetlands, historic sites, or marine habitats.

By leveraging artistic expression as a communication tool, this grant program seeks to empower communities with knowledge about climate risks and resilience strategies. Through creative engagement, the initiative fosters collaboration between local organizations, artists, and environmental agencies, ultimately working toward a more informed and prepared coastal population.