Boutique, Montclair, N.J.-based public relations firm, Violet PR, has been selected to represent the Newark Symphony Hall, a 95-year-old performing arts center that has hosted hundreds of legendary acts across all popular genres of music, from classical and rock-n-roll, to R&B and Latin. The resurgent symphony hall – one of the state’s oldest and largest arts and entertainment venues – will be spearheading several community-driven initiatives in the months ahead addressing social and racial justice.
The venue, located at 1020 Broad St. in Newark, is also set to announce economic development initiatives, as well as workshops, virtual programs and other events. As the only Black-led performing arts center in the state, Newark Symphony Hall will host unique art programs, including a documentary (“The Soul of Newark Symphony Hall”) from award-winning composer and scholar, Guthrie Ramsey, and an artist-in-residence program featuring informative masterclasses.
Violet PR is tasked with communicating Newark Symphony Hall’s history and legacy as an important cultural site for the state of New Jersey, its important role today in Newark’s resurgence, its opportunities for local performing artists and status as a home for creators of color from around the world.
“Violet PR has demonstrated a deep understanding of our work and affiliated industries – which vary from ongoing programming to community outreach,” said Taneshia Nash Laird, president and CEO of Newark Symphony Hall. “Violet’s work includes substantial experience promoting nonprofits, economic development and arts-related clients, and we look forward to the work ahead – amplifying our voice both regionally and nationally.”
In late-2020, Newark Symphony Hall displayed its visual archive, “Symphony of Survival,” across its first-floor windows. The creative project, led by Newark poet Jasmine Mans as part of the venue’s #EmbraceNewark initiative, features writings, footage and photos from 10 talented local Black artists documenting their pandemic experience.
“Newark Symphony Hall presents an opportunity to tell many stories to important audiences in New Jersey and nationally, including its turnaround as a nonprofit, impact on neighborhood economic development, arts programming, and status as a Black-led organization supporting a diverse BIPOC community,” said April Mason, president of Violet PR.
Mason added: “As specialists in economic development, we actively seek out clients like NSH that are improving people’s lives, creating wealth for underserved populations, and making places better – and have a special interest in Newark’s resurgence, especially since it’s in our backyard.”
The venue, built in 1925 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, is owned by the City of Newark and operated by the nonprofit Newark Performing Arts Corporation. Some of the Symphony Hall’s legendary acts over the years have included Placido Domingo, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin, among others.
In 2020, Violet PR has served several nonprofit organizations across New Jersey. Specifically, the North Jersey firm worked with community nonprofit, La Casa de Don Pedro, whose programs promote family well-being, child development, employment opportunities, social justice, affordable housing, neighborhood renewal, and more. Violet PR also recently partnered with the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, whose #KeepJerseyArtsAlive campaign promoted the public value of the arts to state lawmakers, arts enthusiasts and educators.
Violet PR, designated as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), also represents North Jersey’s premier live entertainment venue, Montclair’s Wellmont Theater. In 2019, Violet PR helped secure over 250 articles on the theater’s concerts, musicals and stand-up acts, earning an honorable mention from the Public Relations Society of America – New Jersey Chapter (PRSA NJ) for its annual Pyramid Awards in the category of Best PR Campaign (in budget range).
