Atlantic County Freeholder Alisa Cooper was scheduled to be sworn in this week in Trenton as the newest member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the state's preeminent advocate for the development and funding of artists and arts-related programs.

Alisa Cooper Cooper was nominated to a position on the council by Governor Jon S. Corzine and confirmed by the state Senate. A longtime supporter of the arts, Cooper, who lives in Linwood, is a musician and teaches music in the Egg Harbor Township School District.

"This is a great honor, and I am eager to do all I can to promote the arts and to help the arts community flourish in New Jersey," Cooper said. "As a teacher, I also have a special interest in encouraging our schools and students to develop a passion for music and other arts-related activities. I want to thank Governor Corzine for recognizing my interest in the subject and showing his confidence in my ability.

The New Jersey Council on the Arts was created to encourage and provide financial support to artists, arts organizations and projects throughout the state. The largest single contributor to the arts in New Jersey, the council promotes arts activities and events in communities, schools, hospitality centers and urban entertainment complexes. It provides direct funding to arts organizations and projects and supports activities and events by nonprofit organizations and artists. It receives appropriations from the state and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cooper graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Music Education. She is the owner of Alisa Cooper Orchestras, a music and entertainment agency, and teaches music in the Egg Harbor Township School District.