In December 2023, Arts Alive held a series of Potluck Arts Listening Sessions at three different locations within the Monadnock region. Artists and staff of arts organizations and nonprofits were invited to share and listen to each other's stories and discuss solutions to unique challenges in the local arts community in this transformative time.
The goal of the Listening Sessions was to address the questions:
What’s changed for artists and arts organizations since the pandemic?
What are some trends in the challenges we’re all now facing?
What would you like to see for yourself, your business, your organization or community going forward?
How can Arts Alive adapt its resources and programming to continue to support artists and arts organizations?
The arts community reflects on the pandemic
Each session started with a guest offering their personal story as a starting point for conversation. We heard from artist and art educator Tristan Bridges, the Dublin Community Center, and the Peterborough Players on their observations and personal experiences as artists, nonprofits, and arts organizations navigating the new world left behind by the pandemic.
Arts Alive’s first Listening Session at the Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene, NH
We then asked attendees to create a three-part story for themselves, outlining how the pandemic affected them, where they are now in their art practice, and what they envision for the future. After taking several minutes to contemplate and write down their reflections, participants gathered in small groups. This was the most important part: Each person in the group shared what their goals and challenges were, and what they believed they needed to achieve their vision.
Artists and arts organizations share where they can use support
Overall, we heard a need for increased networking opportunities and community events for artists, as well as a greater awareness of available resources for education, support, and growth. Artists called for things like more affordable studio space, finding the right community for critique and growth, knowledge of resources like where to show work, and accessible opportunities for practical and creative development.
Attendees write reflectively on their experiences at the second Listening Session in the Dublin Community Center
For arts and nonprofit organizations, we identified a need for increased intercommunication and collaboration, as well as effectively reaching and maintaining staff, volunteers, donors, and audience members. Arts organizations imagined receiving support in marketing and outreach, donors and funding, and better communication between each other to gain strength and stability after the pandemic.
Arts Alive collaborates with the arts community for new and helpful ideas
Google Jamboard with ideas from the sessions. A “+” indicates a “like” from another user.
In January 2024, Arts Alive consolidated all the perceived needs and solutions into a community bulletin on Google Jamboard. The Jamboard had two main pages: one for artists and one for arts organizations. The pages were further divided into categories of 1) the need for community and connection and 2) the need for skills and resources. The board was open for community members to respond to the ideas that felt the most relevant and helpful to pursue, as well as to contribute their own.
Finally, Arts Alive invited all Listening Sessions attendees to a meeting via Zoom to discuss all the ideas that came out of the sessions. The virtual meeting also gave those who could not attend an in-person session the opportunity to share their thoughts, visions, and feedback.
Through the Listening Sessions and Zoom discussion, we determined that these specific projects would be the most helpful:
A series of bite-sized skill-building workshops over Zoom for artists and organizations
Meetups and activities for artists of specific subgroups to connect
A support group for nonprofit and arts organization leaders to connect and share resources
An available and up-to-date list of venues that display artwork
and more!
The thing is, we can’t do it all on our own! Reach out to the director, Jess at jessica@monadnockartsalive.org or the programming coordinator, Nina at nina@monadnockartsalive.org if you want support organizing a networking event, community gathering, or meetup for your specific arts subgroup. If you want to volunteer with other community building projects and resources, or learn more about all the different ways to get involved, fill out this Google Form!
