Cori Solomon Receives August 2021 New Jersey’s Heartland Hero Award

Cori Solomon has most notably served as the Executive Director of Appel Farm Arts & Music Center. She gracefully navigated the coronavirus pandemic and successfully led the nonprofit organization for seven years. Cori, a leader in her own right, has served the South Jersey region in countless ways.

She is also the lead founder of Creative CoLaboratory Charter School (C3) which opened in 2019 as the state’s first STEAM focused middle school serving children in 5th through 8th grades. Creative CoLaboratory Charter School had a successful 2020 school year using Appel Farm’s open campus to provide in-person education during most of the year, while many schools shut down due to Covid. In addition to the on-site public charter school, Cori has overseen dozens of arts education programs in the surrounding school districts.

Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus has a positive impact on the community in more ways than one! Cori has led the organization to launch dozens of new initiatives over the past decade including social service partnerships like the Families to College program, the South Jersey Arts Fest, STEAM Labs afterschool programs, and several overnight arts retreats for families and youth.

Cori has also nourished the bodies and minds of the community through the power of food. Through her creative leadership, Appel Farm recently partnered with Meals on Wheels of Salem County in an innovative collaboration that supports the sustainability of both organizations. Cori told NJ.com, “Food is culture. Our mission to provide transformative arts learning experiences always includes food…. This ‘food,’ culture, and ‘care’ partnership expands the reach of our mission while providing for a critical need in our community at the same time.” Over the past year, Appel Farm served over 9,000 meals to families in need and because of Cori’s vision their organic garden and culinary arts education programs are on track to expand as well.

Cori is deeply committed to our region. She has grown the Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in ways that uplift the community and support the children. She recently made the decision to move on from Appel Farm, but she will continue to serve our region through her work as the Board President of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, and member of Rowan University’s Fine and Performing Arts Advisory Board, and ArtPride’s Board of Trustees.

For all of these reasons, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to honor Cori Solomon of Williamstown, New Jersey, as the August 2021 Heartland Hero Winner.

While New Jersey’s Heartland is filled with hidden gems, its biggest treasures are the people who make the region a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. All Heartland Heroes receive a Heartland Heroes Certificate and Gift Basket in recognition of their award. To nominate your Heartland Hero, visit http://njheartland.org/live/heartland-heroes-nomination-form/.