NEWARK – Newark School of the Arts (NSA), a non-profit organization providing a rich array of arts experiences for students in northern New Jersey, today announced the appointment of Lawrence Tamburri as executive director. Tamburri, who had been serving as the school's interim executive director, was selected at the conclusion of a national search led by the Arts Consulting Group.

"Larry's extensive experience with arts education combined with his leadership and fundraising background will guide NSA into the next phase of our multi-year plan," said Monique McRipley Ollie, who serves on the school's Board of Trustees and was co-chair of the Search Committee.

Tamburri, of Maplewood, NJ, brings 30 years of arts management, advocacy and fundraising experience, including extensive knowledge of all aspects of a school-wide arts integration process. Most recently he served as President & CEO of the internationally-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a $30 million orchestra and concert hall. During his eight-year tenure at the Orchestra, Tamburri successfully implemented an $80 million fundraising campaign.

Those who intend on holding public hearings or town meetings here in New Jersey's largest city should anticipate fielding questions -somepointed and unexpected -from hundreds of local audience members.

That is at least one common lesson both the New Jersey General Assembly Budget Hearing panel and Rutgers University Interim President Robert L. Barchi came away from the Rutgers-Newark campus with after their respective April 9-10 events. They also learned to pack a lunch, since both of their special one-day sessions ran longer than planned.

Six of the assembly's budget committee had reserved an entire day in Rutgers Center for Law and Justice Room 270 at 123 Washington St. April 9. The panel was taking comments from the public about the $32.9 billion 2013-14 State Budget.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2013 several Newark students staged a walk out to protest budget cuts.The walkout was organized by the Newark Student Union, and ended up at the Rutgers Law School campus on Washington Street in downtown Newark. Hundreds turned out for the protest.

While the students was outside protesting, there was an Assembly Committee hearing inside discussing various issues dealing with Newark's schools, safety, and school budget.

Last week, "Local Talk Newark" reported that the Newark School Advisory Board rejected the prosed budget presented by state appointed NPS Superintendent Cami Anderson.

Newark Public Schools administrators may have been burning the midnight oil here at their 2 Cedar St. Central Office building Read more...