Arts alive

After planting the seed nearly 20 years ago, and incorporating in 2009, driven by the mission of connecting, amplifying, and supporting the arts and cultural community across the Monadnock Region, Arts Alive is preparing to close its doors and sunset the organization.

This is not an announcement we ever imagined making. Arts Alive has been part of the region’s creative landscape for more than sixteen years, and it has been our privilege to work alongside the artists, organizations, makers, performers, educators, funders, volunteers, and community members who have made this place so vibrant. 

For many years, Arts Alive worked intentionally to build a sustainable model that allowed us to support the region’s artists and arts organizations without competing directly with them for the same local funding. But the funding landscape for arts and culture has changed significantly in recent years. Cuts to public arts funding, shifting federal priorities, and increasing pressure on philanthropic resources have made that model increasingly difficult to sustain.

Over the coming months, we’ll be taking the time to celebrate everything Arts Alive has built, and, more importantly, the people who built it with us.

From the Ewing Arts Awards to Discover Monadnock, from fiscal sponsorship and Mini Grants to convenings, advocacy, professional development, and countless collaborations, Arts Alive’s mission has always been about connecting people and helping good things happen. We’ve watched organizations grow, artists find new opportunities, and a new generation of creative leaders emerge across the region. We’re proud to have played a part in that story.

We also know that an ending like this comes with a lot of questions. What happens to Arts Alive’s programs? Where will artists and organizations find support? What happens to our fiscally sponsored projects? What will happen to Discover Monadnock and the resources we’ve built over the years?

The honest answer is: we’re still working through those details. 

Our Board of Directors is actively working with community partners and other organizations to determine where programs, resources, and projects can find a new home when possible.

With this process, we have already made shifts to staffing. As of last month, the Board made the decision to eliminate the Executive Director position, and our Program & Communications Coordinator, Hallie Driscoll, will continue on a part time basis to help oversee smooth transitions and communications for Arts Alive’s wind down process, working with the Board to make sure Arts Alive’s remaining responsibilities are handled thoughtfully and responsibly.

Over the next month, we’ll be communicating about what’s changing, what resources are available, and where you can continue to find support. We’ll also be looking back at the people, projects, partnerships, and moments that have shaped Arts Alive over the years — and inviting our community to share those memories with us. If you have something you would like to share, please email Hallie at office@monadnockartsalive.org

So while there is a lot still to figure out, there is even more to celebrate.

Arts Alive exists because people believe that creativity matters, that artists deserve support, and that a thriving arts community makes a stronger community for everyone. People across this region showed up for that belief… by becoming members, attending events, serving on boards, volunteering, making art, funding programs, sharing opportunities, and simply saying yes to the next idea.

We are incredibly grateful for all of it.

So while Arts Alive is coming to an end, the mission that has driven the organization lives on in our community. The relationships built, ideas shared, organizations strengthened, and creative communities connected through Arts Alive are part of the larger ecosystem we’ve all helped build together.

We hope you’ll join us over the coming months as we celebrate that history, share what we’ve learned, connect people with resources, and look toward what comes next for the arts in our region.

Thank you for 16 extraordinary years.

With gratitude,

Arts Alive