Listening Sessions Address Arts Community Needs

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!

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Arts Alive tours downtown Brattleboro arts

On Saturday, October 28 at 10AM, Arts Alive invites artists and creatives to connect to Brattleboro through its local arts spaces. The program will convene at the River Gallery School of Art in downtown Brattleboro VT. With the community art school’s gallery as the backdrop, participants will hear about a few local visual arts programs and businesses directly from the arts leaders who run them. Afterwards, participants will enjoy tours of the nearby Vermont Artisan Designs and Stone Church. Arts Alive will provide coffee, tea, and fresh baked goods. Registration at monadnockartsalive.org/artist-field-trips.

To begin, River Gallery School of Art board member Carolyn DiNicola will give an introduction to the school, including a brief overview of its history, current programming, and various opportunities for artists and arts-enthusiasts to get involved. Following, Downtown Brattleboro Association (DBA) Creative Director Erin Scaggs will tell the story of Gallery Walk. As the current program's founder, she will describe the seasonal monthly event that enlivens Brattleboro downtown and unites the local creative community. As Program Director for the Stone Church, Erin will also share about the Victorian-Gothic concert and event venue and her role within it.

Afterwards, a short walk through the River Gallery School will segue into a tour of Vermont Artisan Designs - just down the street. Owner Greg Worden will lead participants through the two-level store and gallery space. During the tour, Greg will touch on the topics of 1) how he's created and maintained a stable downtown arts retail space and 2) how the business advocates for the market for American crafts. John Dimick, a Brattleboro-based watercolorist featured in the store, will converse about his work and relationship with Vermont Artisan Designs.

Finally, Erin Scaggs will offer a tour of the Stone Church. The 140 year-old structure, whose character has been preserved through careful restoration, is juxtaposed weekly with rock, punk, folk, and metal music concerts, among other events.

Field Trips are $12 to cover the cost of refreshments and $7 for Arts Alive members. Limited space is available on most field trips. To register for the event and check on future excursions, visit monadnockartsalive.org/artist-field-trips. For information about accessibility, please call 603-283-0944 or email nina@monadnockartsalive.org.

Arts Alive field trips provide a unique perspective on a town’s arts community. “The Harrisville story is really special, so it was great to get such an insider view into it,” said one attendee to our Harrisville trip.

Field Trips intentionally build community for artists and lovers of the arts. “I enjoyed getting to intentionally experience the art studios,” said another attendee about our visit to the artist studios at 17ROX. “To have artists around to ask questions and talk about their art form and how to further build community. It was also nice to have a variety of creators; musicians, portrait artists, jewelers! Oh my!”

Arts Alive has led artists to explore a variety of large and small, new and old creative spaces in the New Hampshire towns of Dublin, Keene, Swanzey, and Harrisville, as well as in Brattleboro, Vermont. Locations included the Hannah Grimes Gallery, DublinArts & Muse Gallery, MAXT Makerspace’s Ceramics Center, 17ROX, Harrisville, Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, First Proof Press, and individual artist studios. Arts Alive launched Field Trips in January 2023 to address needs in the artist community for creative inspiration and connection.

Arts Alive is supported in part by National Endowment for the Arts, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and this program is supported by a generous gift from C & S Wholesale Grocers.