CREATING COMMUNITY IN A CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Upcoming Events

Featured
SOMOS LATINOS - Calling All MAPSO Latino Artists
Jul 15
SOMOS LATINOS - Calling All MAPSO Latino Artists
Reflecting Refuge Call To High School Students
Jul 19
Reflecting Refuge Call To High School Students
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - Dave Murphy Band
Aug 1
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - Dave Murphy Band
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - MPACK
Aug 8
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - MPACK
Reflecting Refuge
Aug 14
Reflecting Refuge
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - The Men of Soul
Aug 15
Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 - The Men of Soul
SOMA Stage Presents Broadway in the Park: Miscast
Sep 1
SOMA Stage Presents Broadway in the Park: Miscast
Meadowland Park Dance Festival
Sep 13
Meadowland Park Dance Festival

News

Featured
“SOMOS LATINOS” CALL FOR ART
“SOMOS LATINOS” CALL FOR ART

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture is proud to announce a Call for Art for SOMOS LATINOS, a juried exhibition at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and cultural richness of the Latin American community in Maplewood and South Orange. This exhibition invites Latin American artists and creators living in Maplewood and South Orange to submit artwork that explores themes of heritage, identity, resistance, and the enduring vision of the Latino community. Through this powerful showcase, SOMOS LATINOS aims to uplift Latino voices, spark dialogue, and celebrate the profound contributions of Latin American culture to our shared community.

3rd Annual MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES TALENT SHOW Returns with OLD-TIMEY ACTS and QUIRKY FUN!
3rd Annual MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES TALENT SHOW Returns with OLD-TIMEY ACTS and QUIRKY FUN!

SAVE the DATES:

AUDITIONS: Wednesday, September 24th

DRESS/TECH REHEARSAL: Wednesday, October 22

SHOW: Thursday, October 23rd

Get those wheels turning now as we head into summer—the MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES needs YOU to come up with an act for fall auditions!

MAPLEWOOD’S DIVISION OF ARTS & CULTURE CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH OUT IN MAPSO 2025
MAPLEWOOD’S DIVISION OF ARTS & CULTURE CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH OUT IN MAPSO 2025

MAPLEWOOD, NJ (May 2025) — OUT IN MAPSO is back! Our vibrant and powerful month-long celebration returns this June to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity, visibility, and community in Maplewood and South Orange.

MAPLEWOOD’S DIVISION OF ARTS & CULTURE HOSTS SOLO EXHIBITION BY LAUREN ROSENTHAL MCMANUS WITH COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
MAPLEWOOD’S DIVISION OF ARTS & CULTURE HOSTS SOLO EXHIBITION BY LAUREN ROSENTHAL MCMANUS WITH COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – Maplewood’s Division of Arts and Culture is set to participate in the second edition of Garden State Art Weekend later this month with “Earth & Water”, a solo exhibition by Lauren Rosenthal McManus. The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th (5pm – 8pm), with community workshops and additional viewing dates to follow.

Lydia Johnson Dance and Maplewood Arts & Culture Present Free Dance Performance on March 23 in Honor of Women’s History Month 
Lydia Johnson Dance and Maplewood Arts & Culture Present Free Dance Performance on March 23 in Honor of Women’s History Month 

On Sunday, March 23 at 3:00pm at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood NJ, a very special dance performance will take place featuring three dance groups performing all original choreography.

JUST LIKE A GIRL* - CALL FOR ART
JUST LIKE A GIRL* - CALL FOR ART

Google Form Submission Deadline is March 9th by 5PM!
Drop-Off Deadline March 10, 2025 –Artists to drop-off artwork at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center between 10AM and 4PM

All participants will receive a gift certificate to A Paper Hat - An Art Supply Store In Maplewood!

The Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture invites young female artists, ages 10 - 20, to submit their artwork for Just Like A Girl*, a collaborative exhibition at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center in celebration of Women’s History Month. The exhibition, running from March 15 - April 6, 2025, aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase the creativity, strength, and vision of young female artists.

We encourage participants to explore and redefine the phrase Just Like A Girl* through their art—flipping outdated narratives and demonstrating the power, resilience, and brilliance of girls in the creative world.

MAPLEWOOD CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
MAPLEWOOD CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Follow us on Instagram @artsandculturemaplewood

The concert is on for tonight. Bring your lawn chairs. See you there! @maplewoodvillagenj @springfield_ave @maplewoodtwp @art.arcenciel @parissart.nj @joe.taino @neelamindiancuisine @dannyssoftserve
A Call to High School Students Seeking a Unique Artistic Experience and Community Service Hours! Must sign up August 6. Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar is inviting high school students who are interested in earning community service hours for Honor Soc
Maplewood Arts & Cultures Presents: Reflecting Refuge A 1978 Art Exhibition This exhibit features the works of contemporary NJ-based artist Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar. The tent pictured in the graphic is the first in her series of refugee tent
This Friday!!!! Janétza Miranda Food Trucks On Location are Mexican Spice & Danny's Soft Serve Ice Cream! Children’s Craft Fire-Breathing Dragons and Unicorns by Isaac Hempstead. Gazebo Summer Concert Series 2025 Friday Nights star
Final Weekend! Step into poignant vignettes and untold stories of domestic workers—"The Things They Carried, The Stories They Told, Passions of the Unseen". Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13 from 2PM - 4PM See 1978 Juneteenth A

The mission of the Division of Arts & Culture, under the Community Service Department is to foster a creative community of artists and organizations, enhancing the quality of life for residents of Maplewood by ensuring that artistic and cultural experiences are inclusive and accessible to all.