Record 9/28: Cultural Arts Coalition Disbands in Teaneck

As reported in today's Record, the board of the Teaneck Cultural Arts Coalition has decided to disband, As such, there won't be a First Night 2006, the annual community celebration of the arts that had been organized by the TCAC. See today's Record or click on http://tinyurl.com/arawv for the item at the Record's http://www.Bergen.com web site (registration required).

Cultural Arts Coalition disbands in Teaneck Wednesday, September 28, 2005 By BRIAN ABERBACK STAFF WRITER

TEANECK - The Cultural Arts Coalition has disbanded after eight years of producing concerts, arts festivals and First Night events.

"We just didn't have the pool of volunteers that we once had," said Lauren Hooker, a co-founder of the non-profit, volunteer organization. "It's just hard to keep the momentum going. We're a very active group. People get busy with their lives."

Hooker, a jazz vocalist, started the coalition with five fellow Teaneck residents to give township artists a venue for sharing their talents with the community, and to foster cultural diversity through the arts.

In a few years, the group had grown exponentially, to the point that non-residents were joining to help stage concerts, arts and music festivals and productions, including a popular yearly Young People's Concert.

The group also resuscitated First Night Teaneck in 1998.

In February the Teaneck Advisory Board on Community Relations awarded the coalition its yearly Matthew Feldman Award for Community Service.

But the coalition could not overcome a loss of volunteers and funding, and the group dissolved this month.

Several key members stepped down recently, and the coalition has less than $10,000 in its treasury, Hooker said. It costs $60,000 to produce First Night alone, she said.

After the group pays its outstanding bills, its remaining funds will be given to Bergen County as reimbursement for a grant that was not used, Hooker said.

The group's dissolution means there will not be a First Night 2006.

Mayor Jacqueline Kates said the township does not have the resources or funds to sponsor a First Night event on its own, but would be happy to work with any other volunteer groups that take over the event.

Kates said the coalition made a positive impact on Teaneck and would be missed.

"Programs and services that pull people together are so important in any community," Kates said, "especially in Teaneck, where we have a large and diverse community."

Hooker said her disappointment in the group's demise is tempered by the success it achieved.

"I think we helped to build an awareness of how rich [artistically] this whole area is, especially Teaneck," Hooker said. "And how diverse we are in terms of our ethnicity, religions and ages, and the variety of artists."

Hooker added that she has no doubt the township will continue to embrace the arts through several outlets.

"We still have a host of different presenters," Hooker said, "from the Puffin Cultural Forum to the Friends of the Library to the Rodda Center."

E-mail: aberback@northjersey.com Copyright © 2005 North Jersey Media Group Inc.

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