State of the Arts has been taking you on location with the most creative people in New Jersey and beyond since 1981. The New York and Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award-winning series features documentary shorts about an extraordinary range of artists and visits New Jersey’s best performance spaces. State of the Arts is on the frontlines of the creative and cultural worlds of New Jersey.
State of the Arts is a cornerstone program of NJ PBS, with episodes co-produced by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Stockton University, in cooperation with PCK Media. The series also airs on WNET and ALL ARTS.
On this week's episode... Artist, historian and bestselling author Nell Irvin Painter on her book I Just Keep Talking, a collection of her essays interspersed with her art. Also on this week’s episode, in 1974, high school friends Phil Buehler and Steve Siegel rowed out to explore the ruins of Ellis Island and make a film. With the film’s re-release in the NY Times OpDocs series, Phil and Steve revisit the island after 50 years. And at Two River Theater in Red Bank, the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter, Kate Hamill’s stage adaptation of Hawthorne’s classic tale.
The Council will convene a virtual public meeting on May 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more.
Photo Courtesy: State of New Jersey
The Cultural Access Network will be hosting their 2026 Cultural Access Summit on May 28, 2026 at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township. Join colleagues from across the state for this free day of professional development and celebration.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is proud to announce the creation of a best practice guide for serving systems- and justice-impacted youth through high-quality arts learning programs: The Transformative Power of Art: A Guide to Arts Learning for Systems-Impacted Youth in New Jersey.
Read the full Press Release.
The Council’s virtual Arts & Health Roundtables bring together New Jersey artists and organizations actively involved in the arts and health field, as well as those interested in getting involved. Our next roundtable will be held on May 7th at 2:00 PM.
Photo courtesy of Monmouth Museum
"The 'extra' refers to extra emotional labour, extra honesty, and extra struggle. In a culture where divorced women are expected to be silent and invisible, going 'extra' on screen is a political act. It says: I am still here. I am still desirable. I have a voice. "
Why the shift? Because the audience (that’s us) is tired of the anak dara damsel in distress. We want complexity. We want the woman who has loved, lost, and still gets up to slay her 9-to-5.
This focus on extras is not just a comedic device. It represents a broader shift in Malaysian entertainment towards authentic, "everyday" narratives. In an industry where plots often revolve around the wealthy and powerful, turning the camera on the lives of extras—the workers, dreamers, and underdogs—feels revolutionary.
During the intermission, she met Zamil, a cinematographer looking for a lead for his new experimental project. He wasn't looking for a twenty-year-old starlet; he wanted someone with jiwa —soul. video lucah melayu janda extra quality
(Three Widows Against the World) challenge these older stereotypes by portraying these women as resourceful and empowered, even when pursuing seemingly trivial goals like buying concert tickets. Societal Context
Melayu Janda Extra: A Deep Dive into Malaysian Entertainment and Cultural Dynamics
“Aishah, we’re adding three more episodes. The test audience loves Datin Suri. They say she’s ‘extra’—and they mean it as a compliment.” "The 'extra' refers to extra emotional labour, extra
The "janda kembang" (literally "flower divorcee," referring to a young, attractive divorcee) is a pervasive cultural archetype often associated with heightened sexuality and moral suspicion. Representation in Modern Entertainment
The phrase "Melayu Janda Extra" represents a unique intersection of language, media consumption, and social dynamics within modern Malaysia. While the literal translation of janda means "widow" or "divorcée" in Malay, its usage in contemporary digital entertainment and pop culture carries layered meanings. To understand this phenomenon, one must look at how digital media, cultural taboos, and changing societal roles collide in the Malaysian landscape. 1. Linguistic and Cultural Context of "Janda"
The exaggerated, dramatic conflicts provide local audiences with a balance of comforting domestic familiarity and high-energy escapism. I am still desirable
The popularity of these narratives highlights a broader evolution in Malaysian entertainment:
In Malay society, the term "janda" holds a weight that far exceeds its dictionary definition. While it technically refers to a woman who has been married before, either widowed or divorced, the label often carries a negative social connotation.
By working together to promote digital safety and responsibility, we can create a safer, more positive online environment for everyone.
