ARTWORKS TRENTON

"YPTC has allowed us to go to another level"

Artworks Trenton, the downtown visual arts center in New Jersey’s capital city, is a nonprofit organization that promotes artistic diversity by fostering creativity, learning and appreciation of the arts. Artworks’ exhibitions, workshops and events make art an accessible experience for all, building community among and between art students of all ages, professional and amateur artists, inner-city and suburban residents, die-hard art fans, and first-time art appreciators. Artworks believes that art is transformational to communities, and that providing access to culture and creativity generates changes that are critical to the Greater Trenton and Mercer County community.

“I inherited YPTC,” recalls Managing Director Craig Shofed. The previous executive director had more experience with finances and had engaged YPTC on a limited basis. When Shofed came on board he wanted to be able to spend more time doing grant writing and fundraising. “YPTC helped me free up my time. They’ve given us more professional books that are allowing us to do what we want to do as we grow.”

Shofed appreciates YPTC’s flexibility. Associate Donna Rushing comes in once a month. “We feel like she’s part of the team,” he says. “She asks questions to learn more about what we do and she fits right in. She’s very adaptable and agreeable to what we ask of her. There’s no pushback. YPTC understands what we do and where we’re going.”

“YPTC has allowed us to go to another level,” he adds. “They’ve changed how we tackle our mission and our money and given us competence in taking an impeccable accounting package to our Board of Directors. They make sure we have our finances pointed in the right direction. They really make us feel confident about expanding our role in Central Jersey.”