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!
Scott Hayward meets with Chris Pappas to discuss independent venues’ needs.
This session begins with Scott Hayward, of Tupelo Music Hall, who has been leading the charge to get the NH state government to allocate some of the remaining federal CARES Act funds in the NH coffers to help performing arts venues sustain while they are unable to be open at 100% capacity. He’s also working with “Save Our Stages” to advocate for direct economic disaster funds for independent performance venues across the country.
At the end of the conversation, the topic turns to volunteers. Organizations agreed that participation in social interaction is something their patrons value - particularly in support of the arts. Even patrons in at risk categories are acknowledging that social isolation has detrimental health impacts, and they wanted to come out to connect with others. Managing volunteers in this time is similar to managing audiences. These leaders discuss building confidence in cleaning and other precautions and how they are offering opportunities for volunteers to engage.
This conversation was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 2 PM – 3:30 PM
Panelists:
Beth Falconer, 3S Artspace, Portsmouth
Dave Turbide, Seacoast Artists Association, Exeter
Kathleen Cavalaro, Seacoast Rep, Portsmouth
Larry Yerdon, Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth
Scott Hayward, Tupelo Music Hall, Derry
Arts Alive! will be publishing individual stories of organizations in our Arts Spotlight: Stories from the Pandemic. Please reach out if you’d like to share yours: