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
| Behavioral Change | Potential Underlying Medical Cause | Veterinary Focus | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Hypertension, hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction syndrome | Neurology, Cardiology | | Sudden house-soiling (dogs) | Urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency | Nephrology, Endocrinology | | Tail chewing/acral lick dermatitis | Atopy (allergies), peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis | Dermatology, Pain management | | Compulsive circling (livestock) | Listeriosis, hepatic encephalopathy, inner ear infection | Infectious disease, Toxicology | | Startle response/aggression (horses) | Gastric ulcers (equine squamous gastric disease), back pain | Gastroenterology, Orthopedics |
Osteoarthritis (OA) is rampant in aging pets, but many owners assume slowing down is normal aging. Veterinary science has validated and pressure-sensing walkways to detect subclinical lameness.
The integration of animal behavior into veterinary science has numerous benefits, including:
To understand behavior, we must first understand biology. Every action an animal takes—from a lion’s hunt to a housecat’s purr—is governed by complex neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic processes. Veterinary science provides the lens to view these processes. video de mujer abotonada con un perro zoofilia extra quality
The synergy between animal behavior and veterinary science represents a profound shift toward truly comprehensive veterinary medicine. By viewing the animal as a complete entity—where mental wellness directly impacts physical pathology—veterinary professionals can provide more accurate diagnoses, safer treatments, and a drastically higher quality of life for the animals in their care.
Behavioral assessments are no longer secondary to physical exams; they are now recognized as a for identifying both psychological and physical health issues.
Cats that stop using their litter box are frequently reacting to the pain of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) or the mobility challenges of arthritis, rather than acting out out of "spite." | Behavioral Change | Potential Underlying Medical Cause
Neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) dictate emotional baselines. In animals suffering from generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, or severe phobias (such as noise aversion), the brain is in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
Animals cannot verbally communicate physical discomfort. Instead, they communicate through changes in their daily routines, postures, and actions. For veterinary professionals and observant owners, a shift in behavior is often the very first clinical sign of an underlying medical issue. Pain and Aggression
Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a veterinary context—has shifted from a niche interest to a core component of general practice. This change is driven by the understanding that a "healthy" animal is not merely one free of disease, but one that is mentally stimulated and emotionally stable. Every action an animal takes—from a lion’s hunt
Behavior is how animals interact with their environment and each other. It is categorized into two main types: Innate Behaviors
: Identifying if a behavior (like aggression or house-soiling) is caused by a medical condition like pain or hormonal imbalances .
Content for aspiring professionals should emphasize the diverse educational requirements:
High cortisol skews white blood cell counts and elevates glucose levels, potentially masking true pathology. Worse, traumatic restraint creates learned fear; the animal associates the clinic with terror, making future visits increasingly dangerous for staff and pet.
Veterinary science is increasingly adopting "Fear Free" protocols to reduce the cortisol spikes associated with clinic visits.
