What is MarbleJam?
MarbleJam Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and center for the arts and enrichment located in Hackensack NJ. Instructional art classes, creative arts therapies, and educational enrichment programs are provided to individuals of all ages both with and without special needs.
Programs are housed in a fully ADA compliant facility equipped with studios for dance, fitness, music, art, drama, yoga, and educational enrichment. Therapists, special educators, teaching artists, and support staff provide the optimal approach based on each individual’s needs in an environment designed for success.
What We Do
We collaborate with support coordination and care management agencies to customize the support required for youth and adults in need of services. Maintaining mental health and wellness often stems from engaging the mind, body, and spirit of the individual. We meet our students where they are and build the teaching approach around their needs.
MarbleJam works with local school districts child study team case managers, educators, and therapists to customize the needs of students with an IEP or 501 plan that includes social and educational goals. In addition to our creative arts classes and therapy services, other need-based services, provided upon request at MarbleJam Center, including career planning, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
MarbleJam also offers a robust volunteer and internship program for college students interested in related fields of interest that work with uniquely abled youth and adults.
August 2007: MarbleJam is founded!
The spark that turned into a flame; the MarbleJam center opens its doors and begins offering their first enrichment and therapy programs...
January 2008: First Annual Gala
In only a few months, we put together our 1st Annual Gala! This yearly tradition has become one of our favorite MJK events, welcoming community members, honoring professionals, and showcasing our crucial work.
2016: MJK Reaches 100 Clients
Our client base grew quickly! By 2015 we had 100 active clients using our support programs!
2018: MarbleJam Moves to State Street!
After several years in different locations, including a stint in Tenafly, our needs were expanding! The MarbleJam Center relocated to our current facility in Hackensack, NJ...
2022: MJK Launches Vision Arts
MarbleJam launches a revolutionary professional skills practicum: VisionArts. This 2-year film program offers career opportunities and real-world experience!
Much More to Come!
Our plan is to open new inclusive arts centers and expand our programming options. There is much more to come for MJK!
Way back in 2007…
The MarbleJam Center for Art & Enrichmet was born from a mother’s realization that creativity has the power to transform lives.
Anna Villa-Bager, a lifelong artist and dancer, saw firsthand the lack of creative and enrichment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism.
As diagnoses in New Jersey continued to rise, she recognized a critical need for programs that nurtured self-expression, confidence, and community.
With the vision for a dedicated creative arts center for neurodiverse individuals, she partnered with two other moms to jumpstart and explore creative enrichment opportunities!
Anna draws from her own experience of empowerment through the arts; she knew that creativity would be just as impactful for individuals of all abilities - whether verbal or nonverbal, highly tactile or sensory-sensitive.
With this vision, she founded MarbleJam, a space where everyone, with unique and varying needs, can explore their identity through the arts.
Immeasurable Impact...
Through the years, The MarbleJam Center has has an immeasurable impact on the lives of hundreds of individuals.
Creative arts therapy programs are opportunities to give unique people an equally unique way of expressing themselves.
Many of our participants have achieved milstones that their own families previously thought of as impossible for them. These achievements include communicating through art & music, making friends, self regulating, and much more.
We are also proud to be active members of our greater community! Through sharing resources, hosting events, and engaging with local businesses and entities, we've built a tight-knit support system!
Looking Ahead...
The MarbleJam Story is still an open book!
Looking ahead, we have plans of opening new inclusive arts centers, serving more clients, and expanding our programming options.
We're making active strides to make these goals a reality. The most important step is securing the support of community members like you.
The more we can spread the word about the importance and effectiveness of creative arts therapy - the closer we are to making our world a supportive and inclusive space!