Press release

Jersey City, NJ – The Jersey City Arts Council (JCAC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Jersey City Arts Awards! The Arts Awards recognize the creative artists and organizations at the forefront of our arts community. Each year, the JCAC selects local artists from a wide range of categories that have done exceptional work through their medium and had an outsized impact on the community. 

This year’s Jersey City Arts Awards recipients are:

Ibn Sharif Shakoor – Arts Education Award

Speranza Theatre Company – Arts Organization Award

#LIVEatNLKStudio – Film & TV Award

Naquasha Hawkins – Leadership Award

Daoud-David Williams – Legacy Award

Jersey City Writers – Literary Arts Award

Kyle Marshall – Performing Arts Award

JCHundredsmuralco – Public Art Award

Catalina Aranguren – Visual Arts Award

Nandi Christina Ralph – Young Artist Award

You can learn more about this year’s awardees and see samples of their work here.

“The Jersey City Arts Awards recognize the many and varied contributions that artists and organizations make in our community,” said Heather Warfel-Sandler, chair of the JCAC. “Jersey City is home to many artists, galleries, performance spaces, arts organizations and more that contribute to both the cultural and economic growth of the city. We’re proud to present these awards that celebrate our diverse and talented arts community.”

This is the fifth year the JCAC has presented the Arts Awards. An awards presentation gala will be held in February 2022 (more details coming soon). Because of the pandemic, last year’s Arts Awards were presented online. You can watch a video presentation of the 2020 Arts Awards and see a full list of previous winners here.

Jersey City Arts Council is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is to support local artists and to serve as an advocate for the arts. Sponsorship opportunities are available for anyone wishing to support the awards and to further the mission of the Jersey City Arts Council. To learn more about the Jersey City Arts Council, visit  www.jerseycityartscouncil.org.