Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2002

As art has become liberated, first from the church and then from the whims of wealthy patrons, intelligent education has stimulated public interest. A trio of New Jersey men stands in the front ranks of the twentieth century drive for more general appreciation of art. John Cotton Dana (1856-1929) was the first museum director to promote the cause of contemporary American artists by purchasing and maintaining a representative collection in the Newark Museum. He was also an early exponent of the doctrine that industry affords scope for artistic accomplishment and appreciation. At Rutgers University John C. Van Dyke (1856-1932) for many years used his rank as one of the Nation's most respected art critics to awaken popular sentiment by lectures, prolific writing, and exhibits of his private collection. The sole survivor of the three is Frank Jewett Mather Jr. (1868- ), whose creative attitude toward the history of art has earned him equal repute as art historian and director of the Museum of Historic Art at Princeton University.

The 1936 edition of Who's Who in Art lists 180 painters and sculptors in New Jersey and 14 art associations. The most active of the latter are the Newark Museum, the Art Center of the Oranges, and the Montclair Art Museum. Since 1936 the New Jersey State Art Committee has held regional and State-wide exhibits. In addition to most of the larger cities, many small towns such as Leonia, Westfield, and Hopewell periodically sponsor showings. The Modern Artists of New Jersey have expanded local conventional exhibitions by sponsoring travel exhibits, lectures, public forums, and demonstrations, and have secured gallery representation for the works of young and little known artists.

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