Who We Are
The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, located on the campus of Ocean County College, is a performing arts center that celebrates the arts of dance, theater, music, and visual art.
Featuring acts from across the globe, the Grunin Center’s intimate venue allows visitors to experience once-in-a-lifetime performances at our multi-venue complex, which includes the Main Stage, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theater, the OCC Black Box Theatre, and a brand-new Art Gallery.
The Grunin Center also hosts young performers from various educational organizations, including Ocean County College students from the performing arts and fine arts programs, students from the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, and Ocean County public high school students at the Ocean County Teen Arts Festival.
We provide valuable arts access to the Central Jersey Shore, with over 100 events and 35,000 visitors annually. For more information about our programming, view our upcoming events.
Mission
The Jay & Linda Grunin Center for the Arts connects communities and celebrates culture by offering vibrant visual and performing arts experiences that entertain, deepen understanding, and inspire joy and creativity.
Vision
The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts’ vision is to make Ocean County a cultural destination, attracting world-class performers and artists who will inspire the minds and lives of citizens of all ages.
Values
We value:
- Collaboration with Ocean County College students, communities, and with artists, performers, and speakers
- Arts education by offering arts programming for children and young adults
- Accessibility by making our spaces welcoming, affordable, and inclusive for all
- The artistic process by supporting all stages of artistic development
- Partnerships with community organizations
Local Donors Jay and Linda Grunin Benefactors of the Arts in Ocean County
During Ocean County College’s 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 22, 2014, Jeremy Grunin, current President of the Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation, announced a $5.75 million donation to Ocean County College. The donation will establish the Jay & Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on the College’s Main Campus in Toms River.
The Grunin Foundation
The Grunin Foundation is a private family philanthropic fund based in Toms River, NJ. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for all members of our community by using philanthropy to drive economic excellence at the Central Jersey Shore.
For more information regarding The Grunin Foundation visit: gruninfoundation.org