On February 26, 2020, the community came together to celebrate the grand opening of the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools Performing Arts Academy at its new building on the Ocean County College campus. The PAA, previously located in Hanger One at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is now in a new 57,000 square-foot building that was officially opened in January of 2020. The new building houses everything from a black box theatre to dance and recording studios, and hosts classroom space and learning labs. This new facility is shared by OCC and OCVTS, allowing expansion of college programs in the performing arts. High school students enrolled at the PAA will also be able to earn college credit while still in high school. Students will also have the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an OCC associates degree. The OCVTS Performing Arts Academy is sure to create a spark in our community, in the arts, in education and in our economy. We are so excited for the future of the arts Ocean County!
“We are proud to support this innovative academy which provides first-class education and enhanced performing arts training to empower graduates with the practical skills for higher education or a professional career in the arts. This will surely create a booming future for the arts, the Ocean County community and the economy.” –Jay Grunin, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Grunin Foundation