Funding will support community events celebrating the birthplace of
performing arts in Monmouth County

RED BANK, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 – The Count Basie Center for the Arts, is excited to announce a $500,000 line item appropriation in the 2024-25 New Jersey State Budget that will fund programming to celebrate the theatre’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026.

“Our historic theatre has inspired, educated and entertained for nearly a century, and we are excited to celebrate the significant impact it has had – both on and off the stage – here in Red Bank and far beyond,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We are thankful to Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul for recognizing the importance of the Basie’s mission and our commitment to the performing arts and the communities we serve.”

The year-long celebration will culminate in November 2026 commemorating the theatre’s 100th anniversary. In 1926, the historic stage at the Count Basie Center for the Arts opened as a venue for vaudeville acts and feature films. Originally named the Carlton Theatre, it was renamed the Monmouth Arts Center in 1973, before becoming the Count Basie Theatre in 1984 and ultimately The Count Basie Center for the Arts in 2018. To mark this extraordinary milestone, the Basie will host a series of programs and special events that will highlight the building’s century-long dedication to the performing arts, pay tribute to the legendary acts that have performed on that stage, and reaffirm the Basie’s commitment to its mission-based community partnerships.

“The Basie is a not-for-profit organization driven by the needs of our community and an appreciation for the importance of the performing arts and arts education,” said Maggie Riker, Vice Chairperson, Count Basie Center Board of Trustees. “This funding will have an impact throughout New Jersey as we prepare to celebrate one hundred years of entertainment, education and inspiration – and emphasize the Basie’s mission to serve the community for generations to come.”

“Through its education programs, community partnerships and world-class shows, the Basie is a point of pride for Monmouth County and the entire State of New Jersey,” said State Senator Vin Gopal. “The history of the theatre provides a glimpse into the rich and diverse culture that makes our community such a wonderful place to live. We successfully secured $1.525 million in State Budget funding for Count Basie Center for the Arts, including over $1 million for capital improvements and $500,000 for its Centennial Anniversary, to ensure that the center continues to flourish.”

“For nearly 100 years, people from across the region have come to this theatre to experience the best of the performing arts,” said Assemblywoman Margie Donlon. “The theatre’s legacy is woven through the generations of people who have seen how artistry and education can change lives, create opportunity, and bring communities together.”

“The arts uniquely connect us to our past, enrich our present, and inspire our future. For nearly a century, the Count Basie Center for the Arts has been the heart of our community and a beacon of cultural expression,” said Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul. “The Basie has provided a stage for world-class performances and a space where history, education, and creativity converge. We are proud to support their Centennial Anniversary.”

Count Basie Center for the Arts
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region.  As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.