The Star Ledger

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark is one of six organizations nationwide to receive a new Excellence Award from the Wallace Foundation.

The award -- which comes with a grant of $2 million -- recognizes NJPAC as a model for its effectiveness in reaching out to new audiences and broadening participation in the arts. The award will be presented this morning at a ceremony at the arts center.

The new Excellence Awards initiative is the latest attempt by Wallace Foundation to encourage organizations to expand their work with local constituencies and to focus attention on the importance of boosting participation in the arts.

Wallace wants to "identify those who are really the superstars of this work and invest in them," said Christine DeVita, president of the Wallace Foundation, headquartered in New York City. "(NJPAC's) commitment to this work is not an add-on. It's hardwired into their DNA. It's who they are, who they aimed to be."

NJPAC will use $1 million to expand its endowment to include a fund in support of participation-building activities. The remaining $1 million will be used for a revolving cash reserve dedicated to the same purpose. The grant requires a one-to-one match.

Lawrence P. Goldman, NJPAC's president and CEO, said the award is "the ultimate affirmation" of the arts center's mission.

"Wallace is the leading foundation in the country in the area of the arts aren't and can't be just for the elite," he said. "This is being recognized by the best."

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