The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts lost a battle in the state’s budget deliberations. While an outpouring of citizen support saved the agency from total elimination, the severe cuts drop it to 56th place among all the states and territories. On July 10, 2025, six employees cleared out their desks, leaving the agency with one staff member and, due to the lack of a state match, the loss of nearly one million federal dollars. There is no money at all for granting to New Hampshire’s schools, communities, arts organizations or artists. A rough way to celebrate the agency’s 60-year anniversary.
A sampling of what has been lost for individuals and non-profit organizations — funds to ensure inclusive public access to theaters, museums, music halls and galleries; to bring professional artists into schools and health care centers; to preserve heritage arts through apprenticeships; educational marketing workshops for visual artists, musicians, craftspeople, sculptors, writers, poets, actors, film makers, designers–thousands of talented people earning a living at their trades.
Over the years, the Arts Council, was a central source of information and promotional activities and a hub of statewide connections. It has built community. It has contributed significantly to the state’s economy and quality of life.
We are grateful to all who wrote letters, called their legislators, testified at hearings, and worked so hard to save the agency. Continue the good work. Arts matter.
Rebecca Lawrence
Cape Cod, MA
Audrey Sylvester
Bradford