ARTS ALIVE
About Us
Arts Alive is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts service organization committed to igniting creativity and sparking connections. Access to arts, culture, and creativity is a human right.
We are stepping into the future of our mission by holding space to nurture leaders and instigators, creators, and culture-bearers who ignite creativity in others by sharing their inspiration, curiosity, knowledge, process, and creations.
We nurture them so they will spark others to dream, create, and engage.
History
Arts Alive was founded in 2007 and incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 2009, with an executive director and a 14-member board of directors representing a broad spectrum of communities, artistic backgrounds, and business affiliations. In its early history, it was a collaborative of arts organizations seeking to build more dynamic relationships with one another and position the arts as an essential element of the community’s wellbeing. From economic impact research, to working with municipalities to integrate arts into town plans, to creating a collaborative arts calendar, to developing a list of venues across the region accessible to aspiring event producers—the work began as collective action.
Arts Alive has been a catalyst for numerous projects since 2009 through its fiscal sponsorship program. The organization often has five to ten active fiscal sponsees operating in this program. Past collaborations have included launching the Monadnock International Film Festival, Ashuelot Concerts, and MAXT Makerspace, and supporting the nearly $400,000 Walldogs Magical History Tour Mural Festival and installation of over 16 historic murals in downtown Keene.
Recognizing the vital role of business development for creatives, Arts Alive forged a transformative partnership with the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship in 2014. Arts Alive's commitment to supporting artists and creatives is exemplified in its membership. Offering individual coaching since 2017 in partnership with the Hannah Grimes Center, the organization ensures personalized guidance, empowering the region's artistic community to thrive.
Beyond direct support, Arts Alive has contributed to the arts community's vitality by providing local data, research, and letters of support for grant applications. The organization conducted crucial studies like the Arts and Economic Prosperity study in 2009, 2016, and 2022, as well as the Arts Access and Arts & Loneliness Study in 2021. The insights garnered from these projects have been instrumental in securing grants and support for various arts organizations.
In 2016, Arts Alive took a monumental step forward by launching the Discover Monadnock brand and platform, a collaborative effort with local chambers of commerce, the Monadnock Travel Council, and major arts institutions—work that had begun in 2008. This initiative, spanning a website, social media, printed materials, and cooperative advertising, now reaches thousands, fostering a deep connection to the arts within and beyond the region.
At the core of this mission is the annual Ewing Arts Awards, a partnership with the Keene Sentinel since 2015. This flagship program celebrates 12–14 local creatives or organizations annually, sharing their inspiring stories to weave a cultural tapestry that enriches the entire community.
The year leading up to the pandemic, the organization began a deep investigation of the meaning of its formal mission: “Advancing Arts and Culture to Enhance Quality of Life in the Monadnock Region.” The pandemic and ensuing lockdowns further strengthened Arts Alive’s commitment to nurturing leaders in the creative industries and increasing access to the arts for all community members.
Arts Alive's enduring partnership with Keene State College and Southern New Hampshire University underscores its dedication to nurturing future generations of artists. Collaborations on graphic design, communications, program development, and public art exemplify Arts Alive's commitment to fostering a sustainable and thriving arts ecosystem.
The organization's dedication to community engagement is evident in its partnership, beginning in 2019, with Keene ArtWalk—a free festival that pairs artists with local businesses, transforming downtown storefronts into an accessible main street gallery. Arts Alive provides technical services, hosts the event’s program information, and supports digital promotion.
A testament to its commitment to inclusive community development is the receipt of a Citizens Institute on Rural Design grant in 2019. This supports the visionary Keene Arts Corridor project, aligning with Arts Alive's long-standing engagement in municipal planning for arts-positive development. With a growing focus on increasing access to the arts, Arts Alive engaged and compensated local artists and lower-income residents to participate in the design process.
In 2021, Arts Alive addressed barriers artists face through a mini-grant program, providing essential support to 10–12 artists biennially. Grounded in the belief that access to the arts is a human right tied to community well-being, this initiative has been transformative for recipients living at or below the poverty line.
Since 2022, Arts Alive has been a beacon for emerging artists through the annual Elevate the Arts Festival, a free community event featuring hands-on art activities, an artists’ market, performances, and opportunities for creative expression.
Arts Alive initiated its “field trips” in 2023—casual, exploratory gatherings that connect artists and creatives with regional resources. The organization also hosts the annual Arts Leadership Summit, launched in 2016. Together, these programs foster connection, learning, and collaboration among more than 100 participants each year.
Arts Alive's impact extends beyond the local sphere, with presentations and participation in regional and national convenings including the New England Foundation for the Arts, New England Presenters, Arts4NH, NH Creative Communities Network, NH Arts Learning Network, and Plan NH. In 2015, Arts Alive served as the local partner for the Creative Communities Exchange, a regional gathering of innovative community-based arts initiatives.
Under the long-standing leadership of Executive Director Jessica Iris (Gelter), Arts Alive significantly expanded its visibility and impact. Her tenure included national fellowships, participation in national discourse, and leadership in programs such as the Radically Rural Arts and Culture Track, developed in partnership with the Hannah Grimes Center.
In 2025, leadership transitioned as Jessica departed the organization. Jay House stepped in to guide Arts Alive through its next phase of growth and strategic development, building on the organization’s strong foundation. Following this transition, Hallie Driscoll joined the leadership team, supporting program development, communications, and organizational infrastructure during a period of renewed focus on sustainability, membership growth, and regional impact.
As Arts Alive continues to evolve, its history remains a testament to the transformative power of the arts in building vibrant, connected communities—grounded in the belief that access to the arts is a fundamental human right essential for community well-being.
What does Arts Alive do?
Arts Alive strengthens the creative ecosystem of the Monadnock Region by supporting artists, cultural organizations, and creative entrepreneurs at every stage of their work. Through our Fiscal Sponsorship program, we provide administrative and financial infrastructure that allows community-led Fiscal Sponsorship projects to launch and grow without needing their own nonprofit status. Our Membership Program connects artists and creatives with resources, professional development opportunities, and a network of peers. We host programs like the Arts Leadership Summits to foster collaboration, skill-building, and regional dialogue. We also contribute research, advocacy, and regional storytelling through initiatives like Discover Monadnock, helping position the arts as a vital part of the region’s identity, economy, and quality of life.
Copyright law expert Kate McGovern presents as part of our Artist to Artist series.
Keene Music Festival is made possible by support from the City of Keene every fall!
Choreographer Cassandra Tobey of MoCo Arts receives her award.
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S CULTURAL CORNER
The Monadnock Region has been dubbed New Hampshire’s Cultural Corner for a reason. Creativity flourishes around the mountain from the city of Keene to the Souhegan River. Arts Alive enhances quality of life in the region by promoting and serving the creative assets that can be found throughout - fine art, theater, dance, writing, design, architecture, history, and more. We believe creativity is a building block of our community - and we're here to make sure arts, culture, and creative businesses thrive. We invite you to Discover Monadnock and thrive in its creative community with Arts Alive!