Arts Alive! is offering $50-$250 mini-grants to artists and creative businesses in the Monadnock region. Applications are open from September 1-October 15, 2021. Grants will be awarded to projects that further either the artist or creative business - expanding their professional abilities or increasing how many people they can reach with arts experiences.
New Hampshire-based arts and cultural organizations are connecting for conversations about reopening their venues and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Ginnie Lupi, director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, arts organization leaders from around the state are sharing how they’ve been reopening since lockdown ended and what new ideas they’ve come up with!
This conversation features arts institutions in the Manchester area.
It was our pleasure to participate in the 2nd episode of the Redfern Arts Center’s new podcast. This one is called “Getting Outside.” We talk about the impact of the pandemic on our organization and creative businesses around the region. Recording happened at the gazebo in Robinhood Park in Keene. Also featured are the Keene State College Concert Choir and NOVA Arts.
Watch videos of the 2020 Radically Rural Arts & Culture Track, featuring stories and experts from across the country who are on the leading edge of rural arts development. Speakers include: Chrissy Deal, Director, Social Responsibility & Inclusion of Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Lori Pourier, First Peoples Fund; Ron Ragin, Self-Employed, Artist, Consultant, Researcher, Coach; Erik Takeshita, Senior Fellow of ArtPlace America; Savannah Barrett, Exchange Director of Art of the Rural; Anthony Poore, director of NH Humanities; Barbara Shafer Bacon, Co-Director, Animating Democracy of Americans for the Arts; Rachel Balaban, Co-founder and co-director of Artists and Scientists as Partners; Catherine Stewart, Artistic Director of NH Theatre Project; HB Lozito, Executive Director of Out in the Open; Marianne Barthel, Director of the Arts Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock; Cynthia Cutting, director of Museum of the White Mountains; Amanda Whitworth, Founder Lead With Arts & Articine; Kate Beever, Owner/Music Therapist of Maine Music & Health; Eugene Uman, Director of Vermont Jazz Center; Craig Stockwell, Visiting Artist, Advisor- MFA for Lesley University
Arts Alive! coordinated the Arts Track of the Radically Rural Summit - beyond the learning sessions, there were opportunities to connect and meet and learn about other opportunities and resources for the creative economy and creative communities. There were mixers on the following topics: Makerspaces, Fine craft and climate change awareness, and resources from New England Foundation for the Arts.
Radically Rural is an annual two-day summit that brings together hundreds people who are passionate about creating vibrant, robust rural communities and eager to learn, connect and lead change. Broad shifts in demographics, communications, technology, economic development, and personal values are generating creative responses from innovative thinkers, change-makers, entrepreneurs, and community-builders who love their towns and know their advantages. Not only do we have inspirational learning sessions, but there are fun ways to mix up learning and networking throughout the Summit:
Jeff Kolter is an artist, musician, and film maker who has been living and creating art in the Monadnock Region for the last 12 years. He graduated from Keene State in 2008 with a degree in film production, also studying fine art briefly at Savannah College of Art and Design. Since then, Jeff has occasionally put on subversive, surrealist performances which he calls, ‘anti-comedy “experiments”.’ He also writes esoteric poetry, performs in several bands and draws psychedelic detailed ink illustrations. Read more about his vision in his own words:
Ash Hill Center for the Arts - Arts Alive! Artist Spotlight: This month’s Artist Spotlight focused on Ash Hill Center for the Arts located at 83 Ash Hill Rd, Swanzey, NH. Pamela Dexter is the Executive Director of the Center and shares her thoughts on its origins, their commitment to the Arts and their vision for Arts in our Region and surrounding regions.
