Arts Ed NJ's
Leadership and Legacy Gala
Featuring the 2026 Governor's Award for Lifetime Contribution to Arts Education and the inaugural Governor Thomas H. Kean Distinguished Arts Education Leadership Award.
Monday, November 16, 2026
5:30pm – 8:00pm
The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Event Co-Chairs: Heather Barberi, Sharnita Johnson, and Nina Mitchell Wells
Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees
Jeremy Grunin
2026 Governor’s Award for
Lifetime Contribution to Arts
Education
Barbara Moran
Governor Thomas H. Kean
Distinguished Leadership Award
Mary Reece
Governor Thomas H. Kean
Distinguished Leadership Award
About Our Celebration
Each year, Arts Ed NJ brings together leaders from education, philanthropy, business, government, and the arts to celebrate those whose vision and leadership have transformed arts education in New Jersey.
This year's celebration honors leaders whose vision and dedication have transformed arts education in New Jersey. Through event support, attendance, and congratulatory messages in the commemorative program, you can celebrate Jeremy Grunin, Barbara Moran, and Mary Reece and the broader community of leaders working to advance arts education across New Jersey.
Every contribution helps carry their legacy forward by ensuring that every New Jersey student has access to the transformative power of the arts.
6:15 - Seated Dinner and Celebration Program
Tickets Coming Soon!
Become an Event Supporter
Join fellow philanthropic leaders in celebrating excellence in arts education while investing in opportunities for New Jersey's students. For information on how to become an event supporter contact wendy@artsednj.org and deborah@artsednj.org.
Catalytic Supporter • $25,000
Benefits
- 10 Leadership tickets
- Opportunity to welcome guests during the program
- Verbal recognition during the celebration
- Premier logo recognition across event materials
- Premium full-page color recognition
- Recognition on event screens
- Recognition on Arts Ed NJ website
- Recognition in press releases, social media, and post-event communications
- Listing in printed program
Future Shaper • $15,000
Benefits
- 8 Leadership Tickets
- Verbal recognition during the celebration
- Prominent logo recognition
- Full-page color recognition
- Recognition on website, printed program, event screens, and post-event communications
Bridge Builder • $10,000
Benefits
- 6 Leadership Tickets
- Full-page recognition
- Logo recognition on website and event materials
- Recognition in printed program and event screens
Opportunity Creator • $5,000
Benefits
- 4 Leadership Tickets
- Half-page recognition
- Recognition on website, printed program, and event screens
Momentum Maker • $2,500
Benefits
- 2 Leadership Tickets
- Quarter-page recognition
- Recognition on website
- Listing in printed program
- Recognition on event screens
Arts Champion • $1,000
Benefits
- 2 Leadership Tickets
- Congratulatory message in the printed program
- Listing in the printed program
- Recognition on event screens
The tax-deductible portion of each contribution is limited to the amount that exceeds the fair market value of goods and services received. A written acknowledgment, including the applicable tax-deductible amount, will be provided following your contribution.
Celebrate Our Honorees: Program Tributes
Congratulate Jeremy Grunin, Barbara Moran, Mary Reece or your own organization through the commemorative program. Recognition tributes help celebrate their extraordinary contributions while supporting Arts Ed NJ's mission.
Community Partner Package • $700
- Two Individual Tickets
- Quarter-page Recognition
- Save $100
Celebration Package • $350
- One Individual Ticket
- Congratulatory Message
- Save $100
Premium Recognition
- Back Cover (Color) — $4,000
- Inside Front Cover — $3,000
- Inside Back Cover — $2,500
Standard Recognition
- Full Page — $1,200
- Half Page — $600
- Quarter Page — $300
- Congratulatory Message (250 characters) — $200
- All tributes must be submitted actual size, with logo(s), images and fonts embedded and no bleeds
- 300 DPI resolution, PDF, JPG, PNG file formats
- 250 characters for the congratulatory messages
- Email completed tribute to Deborah Ward at deborah@artsednj.org
To purchase tributes click here.
Program Tribute Deadline: October 16, 2026
Thank you to our Event Supporters
Support Our Work
Your support helps us advocate for policy change, provide professional development, conduct essential research, and celebrate the achievements of students and educators across New Jersey. Together, we can ensure arts education for every child, every day, every year.