This month, we interviewed Rialto board member Asima Jansveld. Asima has decades of experience in urban planning, including economic development, public policy, and neighborhood revitalization. Read her interview to learn about the similarities between New York City’s High Line and the Rialto, her most interactive movie experience, and what she’s looking forward to when the Rialto reopens.

Parents have long debated the best ways for children to spend their time. Economists, child psychologists, child development specialists, and sociologists increasingly agree that creativity deserves a place in every child’s life.

Research shows that being creative benefits kids in unexpected ways, and children who are able to be creative achieve more success in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

At the start of a new year, many find themselves setting resolutions for the year ahead that will make them happier, healthier, and a better version of themselves. The range of resolutions is endless: from going for daily walks, spending quality time with family, reducing screen time, and so much more, the new year provides an opportunity to start fresh.

During this season of giving, we looked into why volunteering, donating, and supporting causes isn’t just good for others – it also makes you feel good.  A team of Canadian and American psychology and business experts investigated whether spending money on others can reliably increase happiness. After reviewing 15 experiments on the topic, they reached a conclusion: it does.

This month, we interviewed professional Fine Artist Ricardo Roig. Roig is a Westfield-native who began developing his own unique form of hand-cut screen printing in 2006. Now, he's a full-time artist who owns galleries and studios in Westfield and Hoboken, with past and current residencies at the W Hotel in Hoboken, Kean University, and the Rialto. Read the interview to learn about Roig's intertwined history with Westfield, his stories of creativity's transformative power, and the collaborative partnership between his artistry and the Rialto. 

As 2025 winds down, many find themselves reflecting on what they’re thankful for, thinking about the year ahead, and planning how they want to make a difference in the lives of those around them. Typically, November and December see the highest amount of charitable donations. In 2023, people in the United States gave $3.1 billion on GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. 

With a global push for giving at this time of year, it can be difficult to decide what to support and how to support it. Taking stock of factors like impact and personal value alignment can help make the decision easier. To help make your giving simpler, we’re highlighting the top 10 reasons to support creativity and the arts during this giving season.

As we work to transform the historic Rialto theater into the Rialto Center for Creativity, we’re learning from the experiences of other creative arts centers in New Jersey and around the country. While each one is different in mission, location, and size, there are important lessons to learn from each. This month, we’re looking at the economic impact of these centers on the local, state, and national levels.

This month, we interviewed Rialto board member Richard Solomon. Rich is a long-time Westfield resident who spent over 40 years at CBS as the Senior Director of Production Management and the Ed Sullivan Theater Operations. During his time at CBS, he won three Emmys and led the team that designed, engineered, and restored the Ed Sullivan Theater into what it is today. Read the interview to learn about his work with Paul McCartney, the flaw in his second Emmy, and why he’s excited for the Rialto.

Every town has a long-standing institution, something that's been around for so long it's embedded in a place's collective memory. For Westfield, it's the Rialto. The town’s oldest entertainment venue has changed dramatically over the last century, yet one thing has remained constant: its importance and legacy in connecting Westfield residents to creativity and each other. Read about the Rialto’s storied history from grand movie palace to local cinema, shutting its doors, and reopening as a center for creativity.