HISTORY

CivicStory was founded in 2009 (originally named NJ Arts News) to address critical gaps in television news coverage. Founding trustee, Susan Haig, a conductor with extensive orchestral and opera experience in the U.S. and Canada, sought to enhance awareness of creative and civic activity in New Jersey. The organization received tax-exempt status in March 2015 and was renamed CivicStory that September to reflect an expanded mission focused on civics, sustainability, and creative growth in urban communities.

CivicStory’s video archive showcases subjects ranging from ecology and civics education to the humanities and live arts. Between 2011 and 2017, more than 30 news segments aired on NJTV (now NJ Spotlight News), WHYY, WBGO (Newark FM radio), WWOR (Secaucus), and various local cable stations. Since 2012, CivicStory has presented public forums exploring the civic function of news, as well as the evolving relationship among news media, democracy, and the natural environment.

In 2019, CivicStory launched a state-wide collaborative fellowship program called the NJ Sustainability Reporting hub to help accelerate New Jersey’s shift toward environmental sustainability. During the course of seven 4-6 month fellowships thus far, over 234 ecology-civics stories have been co-published by a total of 45 fellows and 25 NJ newsrooms, all viewable here.

In July 2025, CivicStory initiated a three-month transition to fully professional newsroom leadership, beginning with the hiring of Senior Editor and Co-Director Ayushee Roy. This leadership transition is set to continue with the addition of a Development Co-Director by October 2025.