A report on arts funding in New Jersey, due to be released Friday, will be delayed by at least a week.

Secretary of State DeForest Soaries Jr. said he needs additional information before the report can be finished.

"He feels it is extremely important to be thorough and complete," said Soaries' spokesman, Michael Kinney.

Soaries is examining whether the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has given a fair share of money to South Jersey arts groups. By state law, cultural projects in the southern eight counties must receive 25 percent of the council's money.

But local arts leaders have complained that the council has chipped away at South Jersey's share by paying North Jersey groups to put on shows here. - Courier-Post staff