ABOUT THE STATE FESTIVAL

The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival is the statewide culminating celebration of the arts dedicated to inspiring New Jersey teen artists, educators, professional artists, and arts advocates from across the state to unite as one grand all-inclusive community.

The NJSTAF will be host to a wide variety of activities, focused towards recognizing the accomplishments of the Garden State’s teen artists by showcasing their creative efforts in the literary, performing, and visual arts.  The showcases presented by these accomplished students during this celebration have been nominated by their home counties to appear as exemplary representatives of the outstanding artistic talent blossoming all throughout New Jersey’s local communities.  In addition, to highlighting  the accomplishments of the states talented teen artists, the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival is also committed to furthering the interests of all who are in attendance by providing Master Class Workshops to help students develop perceptual, intellectual, and technical skills; gain cultural awareness and understanding; and develop personal aesthetic values.

Professional Development for teachers will also be offered, accompanied by a college fair composed of higher education institutions dedicated to developing professionals with passions to pursue careers surrounding the arts.

During NJSTAF, students who have been invited can receive valuable feedback about their art in group and individual critiques, both written and verbal, and often “sit-in” on the critiques of other emerging artists in their discipline, increasing their educational experience. Professional artists at the festival provide in-depth critical reviews and analysis of student work, performances and group presentations, a process that all students report to be most beneficial to their growth as artists.

All New Jersey high schools that have registered with us are welcome to send students to participate in our workshops and classes.