The Joy Project

“My hunch is that joy, emerging from our common sorrow-which does not necessarily mean we have the same sorrows, but that we, in common, sorrow-might draw us together. It might depolarize us and de-atomize us enough that we can consider what, in common we love. And though attending to what we hate in common is too often all the rage, noticing what we love in common, and studying that, might help us survive. It’s why I think of joy, which gets us to love, as being a practice of survival.”

-Ross Gay, from Inciting Joy

Project Overview

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of so many things right now, and yet small glimmers of joy and hope are always present, waiting to be noticed: the first cherry blossoms of spring; the feeling of early-morning, warm summer sun; a child’s first pair of light-up roller skates; walking across the stage at graduation. Joy gets us through in so many different ways. Exhilaration for its own sake. An escape. A way to survive. A way to connect across our differences through shared humanity. Joy grows as we share it. The Artivism Project @ TCNJ is excited to launch a year-long initiative centered on exploring, understanding, and sharing JOY through creative, cross-disciplinary practice.

Meet Our Partners

Partner Map

We are delighted to partner with over 60 local and national partners for this initiative, including both on-campus partners at TCNJ and a national cohort of educators, ensembles, and organizations. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Joy Project partner, please contact colleen.sears@tcnj.edu.

List of TCNJ Campus Partners

Arts & Communication

Art Education
Communication, Journalism & Film
TCNJ Bands
TCNJ Trumpet Ensemble
Theater

Business

Economics

Education

Assistive Tech Center
Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Online Counselor Education
Special Education, Language and Literacy

Humanities and Social Sciences

Philosophy, Religion, and Classical Studies
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Nursing and Health Sciences

Nursing
Public Health

Centers, Offices, & Programs

Best Buddies Program
Career and Community Studies Program
Center for Community Engagement
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
First Year Seminar
Integrative STEM Education
New Jersey Center on Deafblindness
Staff Mental Health Council

Greek Life

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Engagement

List of National Partners

Atlantic Pops Community Band (NJ)

Berklee College of Music (MA)

Blanchard Memorial Elementary School (MA)

Bridgewater Raritan High School (NJ)

Bucks County Community College (PA)

Butler High School (NJ)

Cleveland State University (OH)

Colorado College (CO)

Crossroads Middle School North & South Orchestras (NJ)

Foxboro High School (MA)

Georgia College and State University (GA)

Hackettstown Middle School (NJ)

Hanover High School (MA)

King Philip Philip High School (MA)

Lawrenceville Elementary School (NJ)

Magowan Elementary School (NJ)

Manchester Township High School (NJ)

Mason Gross School of the Arts (NJ)

Moorestown Community Band (NJ)

North Brunswick Twp High School (NJ)

Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan (NJ)

Paramus High School (NJ)

Readington School District (NJ)

Roosevelt Elementary School (NJ)

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (PA)

Somerville High School (NJ)

South Brunswick High School (NJ)

South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble (NJ)

South Plainfield High School (NJ)

Springhouse Middle School (PA)

Tacoma Community College (WA)

Utah Valley University (UT)

West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Choir (NJ)

Whitman Elementary School (NJ)

Wicoff School (NJ)

Woodbridge Middle School (NJ)

Woodside Elementary School (NJ)

Contribute to the Joy Project!

We have a number of unique creative projects that we invite all community members to contribute to!

Songs of JOY! What songs bring you joy? The Artivism Project at TCNJ is collecting submissions to create a Joy Playlist. The songs will become part of a publicly available playlist. Learn more and submit your song at

bit.ly/JoyProjectPlaylist

Tiny Stories of JOY! In 100 – 200 words, submit a tiny story on the theme of Joy. Submit your story at

bit.ly/JoyProjectStories

Sounds of JOY! What sounds capture joy for you? The Artivism Project at TCNJ is collecting sounds to create a Joy Soundscape. Learn more and submit your sound at

bit.ly/JoyProjectSounds

Images of JOY! What images capture joy for you? The Artivism Project at TCNJ is collecting submissions to create a Joy Mural. Learn more and submit your images at

bit.ly/JoyProjectImages