Press Releases

Manasquan, NJ � The PNC Foundation awarded Algonquin Arts a $15,000 grant to provide educational and cultural opportunities for over 200 Asbury Park, Neptune, and Howell Head Start students and their teachers. The Algonquin Arts/Head Start partnership uniquely combines live performances at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan with pre-performance workshops using classic children�s books on which the live performances are based. The program culminates with all the Head Start children receiving copies of the four classic/critically-acclaimed children�s books.

The program was successfully initiated in 2007 at one center in Asbury Park, and due to its success, the program expanded to include the Neptune Center in 2008 and the Howell Center this year. Algonquin Arts hopes to continue to grow the program by adding one center per year until all Monmouth County Head Start students are involved. PNC generously supported the program since its inception and has also provided further support for the expansion.

The Head Start Program is just one of many cultural opportunities offered by Algonquin Arts. Each academic year, the Algonquin Arts Education Series turns the 540-seat Algonquin Arts Theatre into a shared interactive auditorium for area schools. In-Theatre Education programs meet core curriculum standards, provide lessons of tolerance and personal health, and introduce physically challenged children to the wonders of music and dance.

The PNC Foundation recognizes that learning in a child's early years is essential for their long-term success. With principal funding provided by The PNC Financial Services Group, the PNC Foundation provides grants for PNC Grow Up Great and PNC Crezca con �xito, a comprehensive bilingual, corporate-based school readiness program. Through the 10-year, $100 million investment, with a focus on underserved children, PNC provides the leadership, advocacy, funding, tools, and volunteers to help educate parents, caregivers, and communities on how to prepare young children for school and life. Research shows that equal access to quality preschool programs can result in long-term benefits for our children, society, workforce and economy.

Algonquin Arts was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit corporation to promote and advance artistic, social, literary, education, and community theatrical endeavors in Central New Jersey. Algonquin Arts� outreach programs bring cultural and educational programs to schools, community centers, and long-term adult care facilities throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. In its first full season, Algonquin Arts attracted 9,000 people to 54 events. Today, more than 90,000 people, 26,000 of them schoolchildren, attended 217 programs in the 540-seat Algonquin Arts Theatre.

Programming of Algonquin Arts is also made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman�s Club of Brielle, Investors Savings Bank Charitable Fund, Verizon Foundation, Janice Blanton Plangere & Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses.

To find out information about the 2009-2010 season of events at Algonquin Arts, please contact the box office at 732-528-9211 or [email protected]. More information can also be accessed at www.algonquinarts.org. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Algonquin Arts is located at 173 Main Street in downtown Manasquan, NJ.