Wimberly, Turner Bill to Expand Cultural Arts Tax Credit Program Passes
By Insider NJ |
June 30, 2025, 1:26 pm | in
Caucus Room
The Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senators Benjie Wimberly and Shirley K. Turner to expand access to cultural arts development funding across New Jersey. The bill, S-4255, modernizes and consolidates the Cultural Arts Incentives Program, making it more accessible, flexible, and impactful for cultural institutions throughout the state. It also eliminates the Community Anchored Development Program, which had been scheduled to launch in 2026 but had not yet begun accepting applications.
“These updates will allow more institutions to access vital funding that supports capital projects, community enrichment, and economic development through the arts,” said Senator Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “By streamlining the application process and broadening eligibility, we’re helping more organizations bring high-impact cultural projects to life, especially in historically under-resourced communities.”
The bill expands the definition of a cultural arts institution facility to include a national historical park and a war memorial or museum. These join the existing list of qualifying entities such as aquariums, botanical societies, historical societies, libraries, museums, galleries, and performing arts centers. The Cultural Arts Incentives Program is administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). It provides tax credits to support the construction or renovation of cultural facilities and serves as a tool for local economic revitalization. This bill consolidates all previously authorized tax credits, totaling $1.2 billion, under the Cultural Arts Incentives Program.
“Expanding access to cultural arts funding is more than preserving the arts. It is about revitalizing communities, supporting local economies, and creating opportunities for education and expression,” said Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “This bill ensures that cultural institutions in every corner of the state, including those in underserved areas, have a fair chance to grow and thrive.”
The bill authorizes NJEDA to adopt a rolling application process to improve access and efficiency. This allows projects to be reviewed as applications are submitted. If demand exceeds the available credits, a competitive round will be triggered. The bill also permits early-stage construction work, such as site maintenance, demolition, or environmental remediation, to begin before an application is submitted without affecting eligibility.
This legislation also amends the Aspire Program by updating the definition of a health care or health services center to include facilities of at least 10,000 square feet that provide examination and treatment by one or more medical professionals. These centers must be located in municipalities with an MRI distress score of at least 50, designated distressed municipalities, qualified incentive tracts, or on land owned by the federal government on or before December 31, 2005. The bill also defines a university hospital center as a redevelopment project that includes the creation or expansion of the hospital, medical or academic facilities, and other ancillary buildings located on a complex that consists of an academic medical center, a state-designated trauma center, and a university hospital, in the same qualifying areas.
