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The basics:

• Free Second Saturdays events run through October in Burlington City
• NJEDA-backed initiative supports downtown businesses
• Visitors receive $10 gift cards for local spending
• Burlington City arts push ties into Transit Village growth

A partnership in South Jersey will help bring exposure to Garden State creativity, while also fostering foot traffic and economic activity in Burlington City.

Collaborators the Arts Guild of New Jersey and New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced the Second Saturdays initiative May 12. The programming will run from spring through Oct. 10. Throughout, the Arts Guild of New Jersey will showcase New Jersey arts and culture along the Delaware River.

All events are free and open to the public. According to the partners, the festivities will also include the distribution of $10 gift cards for community members to spend at participating local operators within the Burlington City business improvement district, which also supports the effort.

On the ground, a mix of access to mass transit and a growing local economy stand to benefit from establishing a regional arts destination. The “third place” for community members to gather will offer food and activities.

Mayor Barry Conaway noted Burlington City is also a state-designated Transit Village. In December, the city secured a $275,000 Fiscal Year 2026 grant under that program to improve an intersection. The Transit Village initiative helps communities implement projects near transit stations to help foster vibrancy in the area.

“A grant like this brings life into downtowns like Burlington City by hosting cultural events for the young and young at heart,” Conaway said.

A grant like this brings life into downtowns like Burlington City …
— Mayor Barry Conaway

He noted the potential for long-term influence by bridging local businesses and arts groups. He added these connections function as “one tool of a multi-layered approach to support small, distinct downtowns like Burlington.”

Stacking support

“Being able to take the RiverLine to Burlington City, immerse yourself in the arts and patronize local businesses is an ideal way to spend your Saturday and help us organically support and grow our community and most importantly give a stage for some the region’s most talented artists,” said Shanisha “Nisha” Ray, president of the Arts Guild of New Jersey Board of Directors.

Established in 1998, the Arts Guild of New Jersey is a nonprofit center for the arts.

The local organization received a $500,000 award under the NJEDA’s ART program in December. The initiative offers support to community-focused arts and cultural organizations to help foster the revitalization of commercial corridors.

A total $15 million of support went to 39 organizations under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation program. ART began as a pilot in Newark and Atlantic City in 2023. These second phase grants mark the first post-expansion.

Following a May 12 press conference announcing the initiative, local businesses received information on statewide support systems to grow in New Jersey.

Beyond the NJEDA, guest organizations included the Small Business Administration, Burlington County Bridge Commission’s County Office of Economic Development, New Jersey Business Action Center and the Office of Sen. Troy Singleton.

Democratic state Sen. Troy Singleton’s 7th district includes Burlington City. He has also sponsored legislation to expand UEZ designation to Burlington City.

Singleton said pairing strategic economic tools with these kinds of investments can lead to success. It “underscores a fundamental truth: the arts are not just cultural assets – they are powerful economic drivers,” he said.

After its May 16 launch, the next Second Saturdays will take place June 13.