Keene Arts Core

ensuring infrastructure to support the arts

creative public spaces

Arts Alive received a Citizens Institute on Rural Design grant via the National Endowment for the Arts and the Housing Assistance Council. This brought the community together around a more cohesive (and compact) vision for the “arts corridor” project - newly dubbed the “Keene Arts Core.” 

This infrastructure design project know as the “Keene Arts Core” focuses on activating public spaces that connect and amplify the presence of arts in our community. Elements include wayfinding, public art, installations, and improvements to public spaces so that they are easier to use for outdoor performances, festivals, markets, and more. The project initially focuses on Gilbo Ave and the Commercial Street Lot, to leverage proximity to downtown parking. But the project will sprout beyond this area as it germinates.

Community Engagement has been a key part of this project, from the original Arts Corridor planning in 2019 and early 2020, to a community plenary in April 2021, a meeting to merge the myriad of plans for this area in November 2021, a February 2022 meeting of the arts community, and a community-wide 3 days of planning and outreach activities in March 2022.

Outcome In June 2022 a “Design Book” was delivered from our partners at TBD Studio, Citizens Institute on Rural Design, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Core team will be using this to inspire action and artistic interventions, as well as to help craft “what goes back on top” when the City replaces underground infrastructure throughout the downtown district.

Needs The design book addresses some of the following needs

• The design of public spaces and infrastructure that connect and bring attention to blossoming arts venues

• Beautification of Gilbo Ave, a current parking lot desert that impacts stormwater runoff, downtown summer temperatures, and feelings of safety and pride

• A covered open-air market space and pop-up venues for emerging businesses

• Easy-to-use festival and outdoor event space

• Spaces that people can “live in” in the downtown area

The Latest The team is waiting for the City of Keene to decide how the infrastructure project will play out before we initiate any permanent action or installations. Members of the team continue to advocate for placemaking in the downtown, including space for biking, walking, hanging out, playing, outdoor dining, hosting events like music and festivals, and more!

History

The “Keene Arts Core” project began with a development plan for the downtown area initiated by Monadnock Economic Development Corporation as “The Arts Corridor.” This plan included purchasing and transforming buildings, creating more transportation infrastructure, installing old train cars, creating an outdoor plaza, providing public bathrooms, and building a welcome center along a corridor from the intersection of Gilbo Ave and School Street to the Monadnock Food Co-op.

The original plan was a spark of inspiration - elements of the comprehensive work detailed in the plan have already begun by private investors and developers. It also includes the Co-op expansion project and the opening of Showroom, the Colonial Performing Arts Center’s new venue that opened in 2021. In spite of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the arts are flourishing in our region.

In April 2021, Arts Alive hosted a charette with key stakeholders in the Gilbo Ave area, and those that are heavily involved in creative activities in downtown Keene. This meeting gave a focus to the current design work on public infrastructure.

Arts Alive’s Role

Arts Alive is the arts service organization serving the entire Monadnock region of New Hampshire. One of the organization’s roles is to help facilitate community conversations and initiatives to advance the arts. The organizational goals that align with this project are to open doors for the entire community to engage in the arts and to provide support and engage the wider community in supporting a successful and equitable arts economy. The Board of Directors of Arts Alive is committed to taking action on this project by:

1. Building capacity to take this on, including: a collaborative team of artists, developers, planners, economic development professionals, and enthusiastic arts supporters to take on the project. And cultivating supporters within City staff and government

2. Creating a cohesive design for a “Keene Arts Core” with support from Citizens Institute on Rural Design

3. Partnering to activate the space along Gilbo Ave with pop up events and activities and temporary public artwork

4. Developing public infrastructure in partnership with the City of Keene that will support the creative economy and creative spirit of the region

Public Art Projects

May 2023-September 2023: Did you find an Artful Elm Leaf?

As a public art wayfinding project, Keene State College Senior Sofia El Hakim coordinated an installation of elm-leaf shaped wheat paste murals at arts venues around downtown Keene.

August 2022 and more!: Elevate the arts fest

To demonstrate and celebrate the ways the Gilbo Ave area of Keene can be utilized and brought to life, Arts Alive began hosting the annual Elevate the Arts Fest. The first year explored the benefits of having a covered pavillion to host arts performances and community gathering. The second year we brought the festival into the downtown area on Gilbo Ave to test out our big dream of having an accessible arts festival in this underutilized spot!