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Arts and the City (2008)
The largest city in New Jersey, Newark has always had an image problem. It is known as a crime-ridden city with high poverty rate, a notorious school system, and racial tension. To many people in New Jersey, Newark is a transportation hub that many commuters go through every day but never step outside of. Few people know that it is a city that is home to the most cultural, art, and historical institutions in the state. For decades, the city has been striving for an economic and cultural renaissance. With recent new development projects such as the Prudential Center and the Gateway Center expansion, the city’s downtown area is getting a facelift. In the arts communities, the galleries struggle to as they continue to provide professional services to local artists and outreach programs to local high school students. Major arts institutions such as NJPAC and the Newark Museum continue to feature works by world-class artists while organizing events that connect with the local community such as the free summer outdoor concert series and Newark Black Film Festival. To many emerging artists, Newark offers a raw space for many opportunities to show their works, and a friendly creative community for them to live and hone their craft.