Organizers of a regional cultural study want to know what Warren County residents think about the arts and culture in their county.

Residents will have the chance to give their views on the county's cultural climate during a series of 15 focus groups scheduled for May 14-17. A public hearing on the results of the focus groups will be held at 7 p.m. on May 17 in the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building in White Township.

The focus groups are the latest stage in the Northwest New Jersey Cultural Planning Project, a state-funded effort that began last year. Andrea Olin-Gomes, the project consultant, previously interviewed more than 150 arts and cultural organizations to complete a cultural inventory of Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties. The project now moves on to hear from the people who are the consumers of culture and arts activities in the area.

The object of the study is to create a cultural plan for the northwest corner of New Jersey that will lead to better services, appropriate programs and improved facilities to suit community needs for culture.

"We have a unique opportunity to attract state funds to help develop artistic programming in Warren County," said Warren County Art Coordinator Dennis Austin. "Through the input of interested and active participants in the community, it is hoped that we can create a cultural plan, which will generate locally centered art facilities and cultural events," Austin added.

Hunterdon County already conducted its focus group process and Sussex County will hold similar sessions later this month. Austin, of the Warren County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and Art Charlton, Director of the Warren County Department of Economic Development & Tourism, are coordinating the Warren County focus groups.

"People from all walks of life are consumers of culture, whether they go out to listen to a band, attend a local theater performance, or visit an art gallery," Charlton remarked. The project's goal, he added, is to learn what people want from their local and regional cultural groups and artists.

The focus groups are aimed at soliciting the viewpoints from a broad spectrum of people, Charlton said. Participants will include business people, arts educators, senior artists, school administrators, human services providers, senior citizens, real estate agents, elected officials, restaurateurs, and representatives of law enforcement, religious organizations, tourism businesses, civic groups and the media. Meanwhile, representatives from a number of entities are assisting in planning the focus groups. Assistance is being provided by members of the county Economic Development Advisory Council, Phillipsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Hackettstown Area-Warren Hills Chamber of Commerce, Warren County Department of Education, and the county Human Services Department, Planning Department, Office on Aging, and other interested county residents.

The 90-minute focus groups are being scheduled in areas of expertise, and each group will include up to 15 participants. Olin-Gomes, of Cultural Consulting Services, Boston, Mass., will conduct the focus groups and the public hearing.

Although space is limited in the groups, people who are interested in participating are asked to contact either the Warren County Cultural & Heritage Commission at (908) 453-4381, or the Warren County Department of Economic Development & Tourism at (908) 475-6580. The 7 p.m. public hearing on May 17 is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The focus groups will be held on May 14, 16 and 17 at the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building, 165 County Route 519 South, White Township. The May 15 focus groups will be held at the Oxford Municipal Building.

For further information, please contact:
Dennis Austin - (908) 453-4381
Art Charlton - (908) 475-6580