Appel Farm Exec Director Honored

The Executive Director of Appel Farm Arts & Music Summer Camp (GOTO New York's partner camp) Mark Packer, received the Lillian Levy Standing Ovation Award, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance’s highest honor, for his leadership in supporting the region and the State’s arts and cultural organizations.

Mr. Packer joined the staff of Appel Farm in 1984. From 1985 through 1987 he served as the Summer Arts Camp Director and in 1988 became the Executive Director. A native of Montreal, Canada, he is a graduate cum laude of Kenyon College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and attended courses towards his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. He plays a major role in regional and statewide arts organizations including the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, which he co-founded in 1992 and is currently a Trustee.

He is also the President of ArtPride New Jersey, the statewide advocacy organization for the non-profit arts industry, where he has been a Trustee since 1988. He co-founded the Arts & Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey and was honored in 2002 as the recipient of ABP's annual Art Partner of the Year. He has served as a consultant and panelist for numerous organizations, including the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and the G.G.Green Redevelopment Project. Congrats from all of GOTO, Mark!