Jersey City Department of Cultural Affairs Director Christine Goodman is leaving after 25 years of arts leadership, receiving accolades from Mayor James Solomon on her last day of work.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Christine Goodman built the arts infrastructure this city runs on. Before there was an Arts & Culture Trust Fund, before there was a Poet Laureate, before JC Fridays — there was Christine, making the case that Jersey City’s artists deserved real investment and a real seat at the table,” Solomon said in a statement.
“She won that argument, and every artist working in this city today is better off for it. On behalf of the entire city: thank you.”
Deputy Chief of Staff Kristel Asqui-Mejia will serve as acting director of the Office of Cultural Affairs effective Monday, August 31st.
Under her leadership, the Office of Cultural Affairs grew from a small municipal office into a national model for how a city can invest in its creative community, according to the mayor’s office.
This was made possible through administering competitive grants, commissioning public art, shaping cultural policy, and coordinating more than 400 events, festivals, along with performances each year.
Goodman’s signature achievement is the Arts & Culture Trust Fund, the first municipal fund of its kind in New Jersey.
Since its creation, the fund has invested more than $5 million in over 500 artists and cultural organizations through competitive grants, arts education funding, general operating support, and individual artist fellowships.
Goodman also strengthened the City’s cultural infrastructure through major institutional partnerships, including supporting the New Jersey Symphony’s move to Jersey City and the restoration of the Loews Jersey Theatre.
She helped bring Jersey City its first official Poet Laureate in partnership with the Jersey City Arts Council, and turned vacant space at the Journal Square PATH Station into the Commuter Gallery, a public arts venue seen by tens of thousands of riders.
Goodman also advanced the City’s long-term cultural strategy through a Cultural Asset Map developed with New Jersey City University, now Kean Jersey City.
Most recently, she led Jersey City’s first-ever citywide study of the nonprofit arts and culture sector, and produced the City’s annual July 4th celebration alongside a full slate of cultural programming for the 2026 World Cup.
“25 years ago, I believed Jersey City could be a place where artists could build a life, not just pass through. What I’ve watched happen since has exceeded anything I imagined,” Goodman stated.
“This work was made possible because of the artists, organizers, and neighbors who kept showing up. It has been the privilege of my career to serve them, and I leave knowing this work is in good hands.”
The application to apply for the role of director of the Office of Cultural Affairs can be accessed here. The city is accepting applications immediately.
