Why the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) is Worth Funding

Above: My photo of CCMS Dance Movement Therapist Heather Bigelow Hearne working with some of our youngest students.

 

MARCH 31, 2025 UPDATE:

This afternoon, the New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted on party lines to support the House Finance Division 1 Committee’s recommendation that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) not only be defunded in full, but also totally eliminated from state law. This involves changing state statute to abolish the NHSCA in its entirety. As best I know right now, the revised state budget bills (HB1 and HB2) will come before the full House for a vote, currently scheduled for Thursday, April 10. ***Both bills can still be amended on the House floor. *** It is important that your elected officials know the difference that the arts have made in your life and to the overall quality of life in the Granite State. When you contact them, please urge them to propose amendments to HB1 and HB2 that would fully restore the NHSCA under statute and fund the agency at meaningful levels. It’s important to reach out to your local Reps now, so they have time draft amendments prior to April 10. Thank you.

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ORIGINAL POST:

Right now, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA)s is being threatened with total defunding. The suggestion to defund appears to have been made without a nuanced investigation and understanding about the types of programs the NHSCA actually makes possible and the valuable service this state agency provides.

The following are just some of the reasons that the NHSCA should not be eviscerated via defunding, as seen through my lens of working for Concord Community Music School (CCMS) and my decades of experience as a fine artist in the Granite State:

The NHSCA Fosters Cultural Enrichment for All
Established in 1965, NHSCA enriches New Hampshire's cultural landscape through grants, exhibitions, performances, and educational initiatives, benefiting urban and rural communities alike. Its mission aligns with CCMS’s goal to provide inclusive music education and engagement opportunities for all, ensuring accessibility regardless of financial or social barriers.

The Arts Have a Significant Economic Impact on NH
The arts are a major economic driver in NH, with the arts and culture sector contributing $3.4 billion to the state’s GDP in 2022, representing 3.2% of the state’s economy and supporting more than 21,000 jobs. The NHSCA supports more than 1,000 artists and organizations, promoting economic growth and community vitality, particularly in rural areas where the arts are key to attracting residents and businesses.

The NHSCA Bolsters Educational Opportunities
NHSCA funding supports arts education programs, equipping students with critical skills such as problem-solving and communication—essential for workforce readiness. CCMS’s commitment to providing diverse music opportunities aligns with NHSCA’s mission to ensure arts access in New Hampshire communities.

The NHSCA Supports Underrepresented Communities
NHSCA prioritizes programs serving marginalized populations, such as low-income individuals, rural residents, and people with disabilities. CCMS’s Music in the Community Initiative (MICI), funded in part by NHSCA, offers free programs to underserved populations, fostering community and empowering individuals through artistic expression.

Programs Supported by the NHSCA Promote Public Health and Well-Being
Engaging with the arts provides significant mental health benefits, such as stress reduction and improved cognitive function. NHSCA’s support for art therapy and mental health outreach programs contributes to a stronger, more resilient community. CCMS’s MICI program offers expressive arts therapy as part of its commitment to mental health and well-being.

The NHSCA Generates Tourism and Helps Shape NH’s Identity
NHSCA-backed cultural events enhance NH’s identity as a cultural destination, driving tourism and boosting local economies.

The NHSCA Helps Preserve New Hampshire’s Cultural Heritage
NHSCA ensures the preservation of NH’s rich cultural heritage, including Native American traditions and historical arts. Grants from NHSCA have enabled CCMS to showcase the state’s musical heritage and maintain its facilities for better service to the community.

The Arts Help the State of NH Attract and Retain Talent
A strong arts scene helps make NH a dynamic, attractive place to live and work. Creative professionals and younger generations are drawn to communities that offer vibrant cultural and artistic experiences. A vibrant arts community fosters a high quality of life, encouraging professionals to stay engaged and contribute to the state’s innovation and productivity.

The NHSCA is a Small Investment that Generates Big Returns
Funding NHSCA is a cost-effective strategy that yields substantial returns in tourism, education, and economic development. Defunding the Council would have negative effects on local economies, community engagement, and access to the arts, impacting programs at CCMS and other organizations. NHSCA support also helps grantees leverage and obtain additional federal and private resources.

The NHSCA Serves as a Voice and Advocate for Artists
NHSCA provides NH artists with a platform to showcase their work and advocates for creative professionals by offering resources and funding. The Council’s close ties to communities and policymakers ensure that arts issues are prioritized, benefiting both artists and the broader public.

NHSCA’s Activities Promote Necessary Civic Engagement
The arts foster an engaged, informed citizenry, inspiring people to participate in community activities and advocate for positive change. NHSCA’s work strengthens civic engagement and amplifies the importance of arts in society.

The Public Policy Reasons for NHSCA’s Existence are Still Valid
As outlined in RSA 19-A, the state recognizes the arts as vital to the welfare of its citizens, supporting both personal well-being and economic development. The arts contribute to tourism, local businesses, and workforce attraction, and their role in NH’s culture and economy remains essential.

The NHSCA was established by state law, and its continued existence relies on legislative support. If defunded or abolished, NH would face significant cultural and economic losses, affecting local communities and arts organizations like CCMS. The Council’s role in supporting education, health, economic development, and cultural preservation cannot be overstated. Continued support for NHSCA ensures that these benefits endure, especially at a time when federal funding of the arts in jeopardy. I encourage you to fight to maintain funding of the NHSCA.

Art Wonkette's Open Letter to the NH House of Reps

Here's the testimony I didn't get to give orally at the State House today. (I left during break, as there were still at least 17 more speakers to hear from -- apparently first one there gets put at the BOTTOM Of the pile...) However, I did have backup written copies handy.

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Madame Chair, Department and Committee Members,

It is my understanding that the passage of HB 1274 would leave NH as the only state w/out a state arts council and would break what RSA 21-K:1 calls the “inextricable link” between the Council, state library, and historic preservation office.

While HB 1274 seems to be designed to relieve, in some small measure, the state’s budget situation, the Legislature has the obligation to consider at what long-term cost that relief might come. It also has the responsibility to reject the bill should it find – as I do -- that that cost is too high to the citizens of New Hampshire.

There has been inadequate discussion to date of how the absence of the Council (and the Cultural Commission) would impact those New Hampshire businesses which depend on a lively and vibrant arts culture. There has also been insufficient analysis of what the resultant potential loss of revenue would mean, not only to businesses, but also to the state itself. It concerns me that a state representative would bring forth a bill seemingly without first determining, to a reasonable degree, that the bill's benefits to the state clearly outweigh its negative impact on its citizens, and that it is an appropriate way to further the state’s interest.

Second, but just as important, the language of New Hampshire’s RSAs and the state Constitution strongly favor – if not out-and-out mandate -- the continued existence and state support of the Commission and Arts Council. Part 2, Article 83 of the State Constitution makes it the ongoing duty of legislators to encourage private and public institutions for the promotion of the arts. RSA 21-K:1 explicitly recognizes this ongoing duty by citing Part 2, Article 83 as the impetus for creating the Cultural Resources Commission/Department. 21-K:1 also states the legislature’s intent that “a single, strong, visible cultural agency shall assume equal status with other major departments of state government.” (Emphasis added.) Given the broad meaning of the word “institutions” as used in this context, I urge the House – if it has not already done so – to check with the Attorney General’s office -- or seek an opinion from the state Supreme Court -- as to the Constitutionality of HB 1274 before taking any further action on it,

Last year, when the House threatened to eviscerate the Commission and Council by eliminating their funding, opposition was quick and vigorous. One of the most poignant published comments was made by a Mr. John-Michael Albert, who noted, in response to the threatened cuts:

“A broad and deep artistic culture is a democracy’s debt to itself. And paying such a debt says something profound about the democracy’s identity. It says that the democracy believes in its future, and that it recognizes that a future with a rich balance of experiences…. is a future of hope. For a democracy to dismiss the vital contributions that the arts make to its depth and breadth is for that democracy to surrender to despair—the ultimate sin against the spirit of being human.”

Your focus today should be to balance the state’s interests in enacting HB 1274 against the interests of its citizens in benefitting from all that the arts have to offer them. I encourage you to send a clear and lasting message that, in New Hampshire, the arts are not a frivolous or expendable luxury: their value is firmly grounded in the State Constitution and they contribute -- in a meaningful and lasting manner -- to the quality of life to be found in the Granite State.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.