NJ State Senator Andrew Zwicker (District 16) Joins Arts Leaders for a Round Table Discussion

Princeton, NJ. October 15, 2026—NJ State Senator Andrew Zwicker joined leaders from arts and education institutions for a roundtable discussion in Trenton, NJ, to continue the critical conversation about how arts learning is crucial for youth development. 

In New Jersey, the arts are mandated areas of study, but access and participation remain inequitable. New standards in the arts were approved by the state board of education earlier this month. The conversation focused on the role of the arts in supporting student mental health, providing meaningful creative engagement to reduce screen time and phone usage, and supporting the role the arts play in uplifting culture and reducing bias incidents. Together, leaders reinforced their ongoing commitment to expanding access to creative experiences and ensuring that student expression remains a top priority across New Jersey communities.

Andrew Zwicker shared, “When I think about the loneliness epidemic, I think of the arts and of the incredible connection between improvements in mental health and access to the arts, but that may not be what people, funders, legislators, and others are thinking about all the time when we talk about access to arts education. This work is critical and needs to be funded. Conversations like this highlight how interconnected the arts are in children’s  mental health, identity, career readiness, and so much more.” 

Baninder Goomer, Chief Academic Officer, Edison School District, shared, “In the Edison School District, we try to infuse the arts into everything we’re doing, especially as it relates to different cultures. It’s so important for children to see themselves in their learning, whether that’s a book with Punjabi or Hindi words, or an arts performance or workshop that shares a tradition native to a culture; children engage more deeply in the learning process.

Robert Keyes, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts and Partnerships, Trenton Public School District, shared, “It is so powerful when our students have the opportunity to explore the arts. There’s a mistaken perception that the product and the performance are the most important, when really, the learning occurs through the exploration and the creative process. This is important here in Trenton Public Schools. We learn through experimentation and risk-taking. The arts are the best way for students to experience that kind of learning.”

Lisa Haberl, Executive Director, Division of Academic Services, NJ Department of Education, shared that New Jersey has a well-earned strong reputation in arts education. We are one of very few states that encourage the arts in career and technical education. We are focused on teaching students that this is an industry and there are career pathways.  In New Jersey, arts education is not enrichment; it is part of a core experience for students. 

Michele Russo, President and CEO of Young Audiences, shared, “YA’s value comes from our ability to bring an artist in who reflects the students or who reflects a culture or identity that students don’t experience. Our artists uplift cultures and art forms of the world, and that learning is missing when schools don’t have the funds to support this work.”

Shea Murray, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, NJ Department of Education, shared, “We recently revised the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Visual and Performing Arts. We worked with educators from across the state to develop standards that are student-centered, focus on process rather than product, build student agency, and create opportunities for students to explore, fail, persevere, and find their voice.”

Queen Nur, Storyteller, Young Audiences Teaching Artist, NJSCA Heritage Fellow, National Association of Black Storytellers Awardee, shared, “Art is essential to humanity. The arts help us understand who we are, appreciate our differences, and our sameness.  Culture matters and traditions matter, and a lot of the connections are made when we know and can celebrate each other’s traditions.

Participants included: Baninder Goomer, Chief Academic Officer, Edison School District; James Gee, Stono Public Affairs, Moderator; Lisa Haberl, Executive Director, Division of Academic Services, NJ Department of Education; Michele Russo, President and CEO, Young Audiences; Shea Murray, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, NJ Department of Education; Queen Nur, Storyteller, Young Audiences Teaching Artist, NJSCA Heritage Fellow, National Association of Black Storytellers Awardee; and Robert Keyes, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts and Partnerships, Trenton Public School District.

Photos from the event can be viewed here: https://app.air.inc/a/b4111c69d.