Grand Artistry Inspires Receives Proclamation from the City of Plainfield During 2026 Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest

Published August 21, 2026 

TAPintoPlainfield: Your Neighborhood News Online

Published Article: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/plainfield/articles/grand-artistry-inspires-receives-proclamation-from-the-city-of-plainfield-mayor-during-the-2026-jam-n-skate-arts-fest

City Recognition Celebrates The Organization's Commitment to Equitable Arts Access, Community Well-Being and Creative Placemaking

PLAINFIELD, N.J. — Grand Artistry Inspires received an official proclamation from the Mayor of the City of Plainfield during the third annual Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest (JNSAF) on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Jazz Clayton-Hunt, Chief of Staff for the City of Plainfield, presented the proclamation on stage to Esira Castillo, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Grand Artistry Inspires. Signed by Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, the proclamation recognizes Grand Artistry Inspires for its outstanding commitment to advancing equitable access to the arts, promoting community well-being and transforming lives through creativity, service and inspiration.

The proclamation also recognizes the nonprofit organization’s efforts to activate public spaces, expand access to arts education, connect residents with health and social support services, and create welcoming community experiences throughout New Jersey. The recognition marked an important milestone for Grand Artistry Inspires as the Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest celebrated its third year and its most significant growth to date. Since its launch in 2023, Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest has grown from a one-day event with approximately 300 attendees into a two-day arts festival that welcomed an estimated 3,000 people in 2026.

The 2026 JNSAF brought dancers, musicians, skateboarders, roller skaters, families, artists, vendors and community organizations together for a vibrant celebration of creativity, movement, wellness and community connection. The Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest attracted nearly 6,500 registrants and featured 379 performers, 150 skateboarders and roller skaters, 52 hired professional artists, 31 food and merchandise vendor spaces, and 21 community-based organizations that linked families to essential health and social support services. Grand Artistry Inspires also awarded a total of $2,600 in scholarships to dancers, skateboarders, and roller skaters. These valuable scholarships support professional development and continued training in the awardees’ respective art forms.

Festival Supported By Funding Through The  NJEDA’s A.R.T. - Phase II Grant Program

The expanded 2026 JNSAF was made possible through funding Grand Artistry Inspires received from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Grant Program. Supported federally by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), NJEDA’s A.R.T. - Phase II Program supports nonprofit arts and cultural organizations whose work activates public spaces, increases foot traffic, strengthens local economies, and contributes to the long-term vibrancy and resilience of New Jersey communities.

Grand Artistry Inspires extends its gratitude to NJEDA, City of Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, and the participating artists, sponsors, partners, volunteers, vendors, community organizations, families, and residents who supported the 2026 festival. The City’s proclamation celebrates the organization’s progress while reinforcing its commitment to building spaces where creativity is celebrated, communities are connected, and people from all backgrounds have opportunities to learn, perform, grow and thrive.

About Grand Artistry Inspires

Grand Artistry Inspires is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing equitable access to arts-based events and programs. The organization harnesses the transformative power of the arts to strengthen community connections, promote well-being, create opportunities for artists, and activate public spaces through live performances, arts education and community-centered programming.For more information about Grand Artistry Inspires, visit www.grandartistryinspires.org.Additional information about the 2026 JNSAF is available in the Jam N’ Skate Arts Fest event announcement.