&CO GROVE: JC Arts Council- City Conversations Event

Building a Thriving Arts Ecosystem Together

Join Jersey City Arts Council for the next edition of City Conversations, Building a Thriving Arts Ecosystem Together, on Monday October 19, 2026. City Conversations is designed to bring together voices from across sectors—artists, arts workers, businesses, civic leaders, and policymakers—to explore the forces shaping Jersey City’s creative landscape. Through thought-provoking panels and open exchange, the series aims to fuel collaboration, deepen understanding, and strengthen the vitality of our arts ecosystem.

What does a healthy arts ecosystem actually require, and what is each of our roles in building it? Arts communities are often defined by funding limitations, but strong ecosystems are built through collaboration, trust, shared infrastructure, and civic investment. Building upon Jersey City Arts Council’s newly refined mission to “advance and cultivate the city’s arts and cultural ecosystem”, this City Conversation will convene voices from across Jersey City's creative landscape to explore what it means to build an arts ecosystem that is resilient, equitable, and sustainable. 

Confirmed Panelists: 

• Deonté Griffin-Quick (Moderator) Executive Director, Jersey City Arts Council
• Kristel Mejia-Asqui, Acting Director of Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs 
• Roxy Arrojo, Executive Director of Educational Arts Team
• Katelyn Halpern, Artist, SMUSH Gallery