Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art


Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art is an artist-centered space in Newark, New Jersey, United States. The NJ State Council on the Arts has designated the Center a Major Arts Organization.
The Center was founded in 1983. In 1993, Aljira was chosen by the Federal Advisory Committee on International Exhibitions to organize the U.S. representation at the
IV Bienal Internacional de Pintura in Cuenca, Ecuador.
The name "Aljira" is the Australian Aboriginal word for dreamtime, and is intended to suggest timelessness and open possibilities.
Aljira displays the work of both established and emerging or under-represented artists.
Aljira Emerge is an annual program that is designed to prepare artists for the marketplace.
In 2009 the tenth show, E10, featured 22 active artists based in the northeast United States.
In previous years the main medium was painting, but in 2009 the exhibition emphasized sculpture, although paintings, installation and video were also included.
The center sells books, fine art and prints through its online store.
Each spring the center holds an auction of fine art.
The gallery's operations are partly funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State; The Kenneth Aidekman Family Foundation; Bank of America; JPMorgan Chase Foundation; The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Johnson & Johnson; National Endowment for the Arts; New Jersey Cultural Trust; The Prudential Foundation; PSEG Foundation; The Starry Night Fund of Tides Foundation; The Turrell Fund; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; and individual contributors.