New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is one of the largest and most prominent performing arts centers in the United States. Since its grand opening in October 1997, NJPAC has welcomed over 6 million visitors, including more than one million children. It serves as the home of the Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) and has played a significant role in the revitalization of New Jersey's largest city.

Construction of NJPAC began in 1995 and was completed in 1997, with the center receiving critical acclaim upon its opening. The New York Times architecture critic Herbert Muschamp lauded the building's design, while The New Yorker praised its concert halls as some of the best on the Eastern Seaboard, highlighting their handsome appearance and warm acoustics.

Today, NJPAC continues to be a beacon of culture and education, attracting a diverse audience and offering a rich array of performances and programs. Its contributions to the arts and the community have made it a cornerstone of Newark's cultural landscape, providing a space where creativity and learning thrive.

Chambers Plaza, the front lawn of NJPAC, is undergoing a transformation into a vibrant, four-season urban park in 2024. The redesigned Plaza will feature the new Essex County Green, a rain garden, enhanced lighting, and versatile seating options. These improvements will facilitate year-round activities, such as performances, markets, and classes. The new Chambers Plaza is designed by the Brooklyn-based landscape architecture studio Future Green.