Due to budget decisions within the NH State Legislature, the NH State Council on the Arts will no longer operate as we have in the past. The 2026 Fiscal Year began July 1st and there is only funding allocated for one staff person. What has been a staff of seven will now be a staff of one. Instead of allocating general fund dollars that we typically use to achieve a federal match to support our staff, grant giving and to run programs, the legislators established a fund for private industry to make donations and receive a tax credit. The details of this fundraising effort are still being sorted out. If you have any questions, please contact Arts Council Director Adele Sicilia at Adele.C.Sicilia@dncr.nh.gov.

Unfortunately, our last day at the State Arts Council will be Thursday, July 10. It has been our privilege and honor to serve and support you – the arts community, schools, organizations, municipalities, healthcare facilities, artists, and the residents of our state.

Thank you and best wishes,

Carey, Emily, Kayla, Lisa, Allison, & Christina

7/9/25

AYOTTE SIGNS BUDGET THAT DECIMATES NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

After easily passing the Senate on party-line votes and much drama in the House of Representatives, the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget was passed on Thursday June 26. Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the bills on Friday June 27.

The budget slashes state funding for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts by 90% (to $150,000/year), and includes language to create the Granite Patron for the Arts Fund and an associated business tax credit. Both measures make the Council ineligible to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (over $1 million/year) because federal funds require a one-to-one match with state funds that cannot be privately contributed. The budget also eliminates the state’s Percent for Art program, which has been in existence since 1979.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is now the lowest-funded State Arts Agency in the United States.

At this writing we don’t know how this will be operationalized at the Arts Council, but it’s expected that up to six out of seven staff will lose their jobs at the start of the new fiscal year, July 1. To stay up to date with the Council, please sign up for their e-news here:

http://bit.ly/4l2w2cb

Media reports about the budget can be found at the following links (if you hit paywalls at the New Hampshire Union Leader, Concord Monitor, and Boston Globe, try clearing your browser cache. If that doesn’t work, please email nharts.org@gmail.com and I’ll send article text):

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/06/27/ayotte-signs-two-year-state-budget-closing-turbulent-final-chapter/

https://indepthnh.org/2025/06/27/ayotte-signs-budget-and-32-more-bills-this-week-democrats-criticize-budget/

https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/statehouse_dome/state-house-dome-heres-the-anatomy-of-a-budget-deal/article_3451e1d9-5889-466b-a0f9-5e9ac5265f88.html

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/06/26/new-hampshire-republicans-eke-out-turbulent-budget-victory-democrats-denounce-cuts/

https://indepthnh.org/2025/06/26/new-state-budget-barely-squeaks-through/

https://www.nhpr.org/2025-06-26/working-until-deadline-lawmakers-and-ayotte-reach-deal-to-pass-state-budget

https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/compromise-budget-companion-bills-barely-get-to-finish-line/article_be8f9241-311a-4e41-8b78-ba9c1ad13a46.html

https://concordmonitor.com/nh-state-budget-vote-2026-2027-legislature-final-version-kelly-ayotte-62001409

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/26/metro/nh-budget-ayotte-compromise-republicans-democrats-gop/

Many thanks for your tireless advocacy during this process. Please watch this page, New Hampshire Creates on Facebook, and Arts4NH for updates.

6/27/25

LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET THIS THURSDAY

New Hampshire state legislators will vote on the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget this Thursday, June 26. The budget, as agreed to by the Committee of Conference, includes a 90% cut in funding for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, from $1,440,146 in General Funds authorized for FY2025 to $150,000 for each year of the new biennium.

The budget agreement retains the Council in state law, but it funds it at such a nominal level that it will not be able to access $1+ million annually in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (federal funding requires a one-to-one state match with state funds). In addition, the creation of the Granite Patron for the Arts Fund, a fundraising mechanism with an associated tax credit for corporate donors, will put the Council in direct competition with the nonprofit arts and cultural organizations it was created to serve. Even if funds are raised, they could not be used to match federal dollars – federal statute requires that private funds cannot be used to match federal funds.

At last Thursday’s meeting of the Committee of Conference, Senator Timothy Lang said that he already has two corporate sponsors ready to donate to the Fund. We wonder: are these potential donors already supporting community-based nonprofit arts organizations and will they pull that support in favor of this new scheme to fund the Council, to get a larger tax credit than they’d get on their federal taxes?

The agreed-upon budget destroys the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. There will be no grantmaking, no support for nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists and their small businesses, no Poetry Out Loud, no creative economy work, no arts education and arts in health promotion, no fostering of the state’s traditional arts, no Percent for Art. Six out of seven employees will lose their jobs. For all intents and purposes NHSCA is gone if this budget is passed by the House and Senate and signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte.

Please contact your Reps and Senator in the next few days to express your feelings about the destruction of the Arts Council and ask that they vote against the bills. Find your legislators here (House and Senate will be listed when you choose your town):

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Also, please contact Governor Ayotte:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/…/GOV…

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

6/23/25

FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE CONCLUDES ITS BUSINESS

The FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference has concluded its business. HB1 and HB2 as amended will go to the House and Senate next week for action. While the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts isn’t a big ticket item, there are other issues that may make passage difficult, particularly in the House.

Please contact your Reps and Senator in the next few days to express your feelings about the destruction of the Arts Council (and the Percent for Art program), and ask that they vote AGAINST the bills. Find your legislators here (House and Senate will be listed when you choose your town):

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Also, please contact Governor Kelly Ayotte:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/…/GOV…

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

6/19/25

“WE’RE THE PEOPLE WHO THINK THE STATE SHOULDN’T BE IN THE BUSINESS OF FUNDING ARTS.” ~ REP. DAN MCGUIRE, JUNE 18, 2025

Close to the end of yesterday’s meeting of the FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference, Senate President Sharon Carson said that she received an email from Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Commissioner Sarah Stewart stating that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts had received notification of a $1 million+ grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Senator Carson asked if the Council can go to the Joint Fiscal Committee after the budget is completed to ask for State General Funds to match the NEA grant (NEA Partnership Grants to states must be matched dollar-for-dollar and private/corporate funds cannot be used for match). Legislative Budget Assistant staff clarified that without an HB2 amendment giving express permission to ask for General Funds, they can’t.

There was a short discussion about crafting an amendment, and it seemed like the Senate members of the Committee were in agreement. However, when the House members were asked if they agree, Representative McGuire said “We’re the people who think the state shouldn’t be in the business of funding arts,” and as he has many times, said arts organizations should get their money from charitable gaming. The discussion ended there with the Senate acceding to the House on the issue.

The discussion begins a bit after 6:32 PM in the video below (8:34:21).

If you want to express your displeasure with his comments, Rep. McGuire can be reached at Dan.McGuire@gc.nh.gov and 603-782-4918.

6/19/25

FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE AGREES TO SENATE ARTS COUNCIL PLAN

The New Hampshire Legislature’s FY2026 – 2027 state budget Committee of Conference agreed today to the Senate’s plan for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Division of the Arts, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources), which guts the agency, funding it at $150,000 each year (a 90% cut from the $1,440,146 authorized for FY2025.)

The agreement retains the Council in state law, but it funds it at such a nominal level that it will not be able to access nearly $1 million annually in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (federal funding requires a one-to-one state match with state funds). In addition, the creation of the Granite Patron for the Arts Fund, a fundraising mechanism, will – when operationalized, which will take considerable time – put the Council in direct competition with the nonprofit arts and cultural organizations it was created to serve. Even if funds are raised, they could not be used to match federal dollars – federal statute requires that private funds cannot be used to match federal funds.

The $150,000/year will barely cover salary and benefits for one employee. Six employees will lose their jobs, even though the positions will remain authorized.

There will be no grantmaking, no support for nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists and their small businesses, no Poetry Out Loud, no creative economy work, no arts education and arts in health promotion, no fostering of the state’s traditional arts. For all intents and purposes the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is gone.

Governor Kelly Ayotte is our last resort. Please contact her and ask her to do something. We need her support now.

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call 603-271-2121.

Thank you for your tireless advocacy!

6/18/25

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE TO RETURN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 AT 10 AM

The FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference spent most of Tuesday in party caucuses and will return Wednesday, June 18 at 10 AM. Click/tap this link to watch the live stream:

https://www.youtube.com/live/SVoD154m_eg?feature=shared

Updated Committee documents can be found here: https://gc.nh.gov/LBA/budget/FY2026_2027_budget.aspx

Contact info for the Committee of Conference can be found by scrolling down on this page. Please note that some of the contact info, which was copied from the House and Senate rosters, may be incorrect. We apologize for any bouncing emails, we’re doing our best.

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

6/17/25

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE TO RETURN TUESDAY, JUNE 17 AT 10 AM

The New Hampshire Legislature’s FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference will return at 10 AM Tuesday, June 17. They skipped over the HB2 New Hampshire State Council on the Arts items on Monday, saying “all the arts stuff we have to argue about,” and didn’t return to them.

The meeting will be held in Rooms 210 – 211 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord and will be live streamed on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/yigq3bvDOyw?si=7fGfmm9k6NhFedY9

Please scroll down for Committee contact info. Please note that the House and Senate roster sites are still down for security reasons. If you need contact information for your Reps or Senator, you’ll have to Google your town and “New Hampshire House” or “New Hampshire Senate.”

6/16/25

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE RETURNS MONDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM

The New Hampshire Legislature’s FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference will return at 10 AM Monday, June 16. The meeting will be held in Rooms 210 – 211 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord and will be live streamed on YouTube here:

The House’s budget eliminates the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) from state law. The Senate version retains the Council in statute but only funds it at $150,000/year and also creates a private fundraising mechanism with related tax credit for donors. Both the small appropriation and fundraising scheme would make the Council ineligible for federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (funds have to be matched 1:1 and private funds cannot be used for match).

There’s still time to contact members of the Committee to ask them to retain the Council in statute and restore funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget. Please contact them even if they’re not your own Reps or Senator!

Please note that additional Reps and Senators have been added to the Committee, so if you’ve already emailed or called please do so again to make sure you contact everyone.

Committee members:

Rep. Jose Cambrils (R-Loudon) Email: Jose4NH@comcast.net Phone: 603-731-8287
Rep. Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) Email: Dan.McGuire@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-782-4918
Rep. Maureen Mooney (R-Merrimack) Email: VoteMooney@yahoo.com Phone: 603-233-0319
Rep. Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) Email: Jason@Osborne4NH.com Phone: 603-391-2138
Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) Email: Joe.Sweeney@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-327-7184
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) Email: mjwallner@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-225-5249
Rep. Kenneth Wyler (R-Kingston, Committee Chair) Email: kweyler@aol.com Phone: 603-642-3518
Senator Regina Birdsell (R-Hampstead) Email: Regina.Birdsell@leg.state.nh.us Phone: 603-271-3479
Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) Email: Carson@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-3266
Senator James Gray (R-Rochester) Email: Gray@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-4980
Senator Timothy Lang (R-Sanbornton) Email: tim@votetimlang.com Phone: 603-566-9802
Senator Tara Reardon (D-Concord) Email: hontgr@gmail.com Phone: 603-496-2685
Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) Email: Rosenwald@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-7587

Please also contact your own Reps and Senator and the Governor’s office and ask them to talk with Committee members:

Find your House members here: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Find your Senator here: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call the Governor at 603-271-2121

Time is running out – send your emails and make your calls NOW! Thank you!

6/15/25

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE BREAKS UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM

The New Hampshire Legislature’s FY2026 – 2027 Budget Committee of Conference just broke for the weekend and will return at 10 AM Monday, June 16. There was no discussion of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts today. Monday’s meeting will be live streamed on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/1SIDO6pM17w?feature=shared

This means there’s still time to contact members of the Committee to ask them to retain the Council in statute and restore funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget. Please contact them even if they’re not your own Reps or Senator!

Committee members:

Rep. Jose Cambrils (R-Loudon) Email: Jose4NH@comcast.net Phone: 603-731-8287
Rep. Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) Email: Dan.McGuire@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-782-4918
Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) Email: Joe.Sweeney@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-327-7184
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) Email: mjwallner@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-225-5249
Rep. Kenneth Wyler (R-Kingston, Committee Chair) Email: kweyler@aol.com Phone: 603-642-3518
Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) Email: Carson@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-3266
Senator James Gray (R-Rochester) Email: Gray@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-4980
Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) Email: Rosenwald@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-7587

Please also contact your own Reps and Senator and the Governor’s office and ask them to talk with Committee members:

Find your House members here: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Find your Senator here: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call the Governor at 603-271-2121

Time is running out – send your emails and make your calls NOW! Thank you!

6/13/25

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE APPOINTED FOR FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

The Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and President of the New Hampshire Senate have appointed members to the Committee of Conference, which will convene to iron out the differences between the House’s version of the FY2026 – 2027 budget and the Senate’s. The Committee’s work must be done and agreed-upon bills sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte before the state’s new fiscal year begins on July 1.

It’s time to contact members of the Committee of Conference to ask them to retain the Council in statute and restore funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget.

The following members have been appointed by the Speaker of the House:

Jose Cambrils (R-Loudon) Email: Jose4NH@comcast.net Phone: 603-731-8287
Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) Email: Dan.McGuire@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-782-4918
Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) Email: Joe.Sweeney@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-327-7184
Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) Email: mjwallner@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-225-5249
Kenneth Wyler (R-Kingston, likely to become Chair of the Committee) Email: kweyler@aol.com Phone: 603-642-3518

House Alternates:

Jess Edwards (R-Auburn) Email: jess.edwards@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-370-7885
Keith Erf (R-Weare) Email: Keith.Erf@gc.nh.gov
John Janigian (R-Salem) Email: John.Janigian@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-770-8230
Erica Layon (R-Derry) Email: Erica.Layon@gc.nh.gov
Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) Email: Jason@Osborne4NH.com Phone: 603-391-2138

The following members have been appointed by the President of the Senate:

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) Email: Carson@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-3266
Senator James Gray (R-Rochester) Email: Gray@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-4980
Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) Email: Rosenwald@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-7587

Senate Alternate:

Senator Regina Birdsell (R-Nashua) Email: Birdsell@gc.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-3479

Please also contact your own Reps and Senator and the Governor’s office:

Find your House members here: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Find your Senator here: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call the Governor at 603-271-2121

Time is running out – send your emails and make your calls NOW! Thank you!

6/10/25

FORMER DIRECTOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS PENS OP-ED

From today’s New Hampshire Union Leader (June 9, 2025):

THE STATE of New Hampshire is poised to become the only state in the country without a state arts agency. The Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), known as the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA), must be restored per Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s recommendation in the state’s FY2026–2027 budget.

I served as the gubernatorial-appointed director of NHSCA for nine years (July 2014–August 2023). During that time, I witnessed first-hand the positive impact the agency has on the state’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, our communities, and the economy. NHSCA’s grant making — a combination of state and federal funds — leverages over $50 million in spending by grantee organizations annually, contributing greatly to local economies and the state’s larger creative economy.

But NHSCA doesn’t just make grants. In fact, the agency functions similarly to the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, providing services and support to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and individual artists to help them manage their businesses, make necessary connections, serve their communities, and grow. Many of these organizations and artists are small or just starting out, located in the most underserved areas of our state, and benefit significantly from this assistance.

NHSCA also assists municipalities, helping local and regional arts commissions, economic development and planning organizations, hospitals, and schools support and enhance arts and cultural businesses and offerings. This assistance results in increased tourism, patronage of local businesses, and enhanced community cohesion and pride.

NHSCA provides arts education services and programs such as Poetry Out Loud, coordinates arts in health services, manages the state’s art collection of over 600 pieces, runs the Percent for Art program, supports traditional arts, and works in partnership with other agencies like the New Hampshire Veterans Home, Department of Corrections, and Health and Human Services.

The New Hampshire House voted to totally eliminate the agency from statute and the Senate voted to provide only a nominal General Fund appropriation. The Senate version of the budget will result in six of the agency’s seven employees being let go, perhaps as early as June 26. Because federal funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar with state funds, nearly $1 million a year from the National Endowment for the Arts will be distributed to other states instead of here.

This last-minute Senate Finance Committee amendment also created the Granite Patron of the Arts Fund and an associated tax credit, resulting in a situation where NHSCA would be directly competing for funding against the nonprofits it was created to support. DNCR, the state treasurer, and the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) will have to create the rules and processes to administer the new programs. This will likely take months. Finally, any funds raised would not be able to be used to match federal dollars — by federal statute private funds may not be used for this purpose.

At this point, all organizations that rely on state arts funding will receive none in FY2026, including the 52 that have budgeted for funds from the Public Value Partnership operating support program, requiring them to truncate or eliminate programming.

The budgets proposed by both the Senate and House destroy the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. A Committee of Conference, when convened, should restore NHSCA’s FY2026 – FY2027 funding to the levels in Governor Ayotte’s budget. The governor’s budget will be enough to draw down federal funds, make some grants, maintain staffing, and continue to provide essential services to this vital part of New Hampshire’s community life and economy.

Ginnie Lupi served as director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts from 2014 to 2023. She lives in Concord.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

We expect the next step in the budget process will be the creation of a Committee of Conference, which will convene to iron out the differences between the House’s version of the budget (which eliminates NHSCA from state law) and the Senate’s. We don’t know who will be assigned to the Committee, so in the interim please email or call your House Reps and Senator and ask that they communicate with the Committee when it’s convened, asking that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) be restored in state law and funded at the levels recommended in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget proposal. Please include the Governor in your advocacy.

Find your House members here: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Find your Senator here: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call the Governor at 603-271-2121

It’s not over yet – be strong and keep advocating for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts! Thank you!

6/9/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SENATE VOTES TO DESTROY NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

Tonight the New Hampshire State Senate approved its version of the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget, which, for all intents and purposes, eliminates the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

Yes, the Senate’s budget does restore the Council in state law, which is a good thing. But it funds it at such a nominal level ($150,000/year) that it will not be able to access nearly $1 million annually in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (federal funding requires a one-to-one match with state funds). In addition, the creation of the Granite Patron for the Arts Fund, a fundraising mechanism, will put the Council in direct competition with the nonprofit arts and cultural organizations it was created to serve. Even if funds are raised, they could not be used to match federal dollars – federal statute requires that private funds cannot be used to match federal funds.

What happens now?

We expect the next step will be the creation of a Committee of Conference, which will convene to iron out the differences between the House’s version of the budget (which eliminates NHSCA from state law) and the Senate’s. We don’t know who will be assigned to the Committee, so in the interim please email or call your House Reps and Senator and ask that they communicate with the Committee when it’s convened, asking that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) be restored in state law and funded at the levels recommended in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget proposal. Please include the Governor in your advocacy.

Find your House members here: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Find your Senator here: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Contact the Governor:

https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

You can also call the Governor at 603-271-2121

It’s not over yet – be strong and keep advocating for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts! Thank you!

6/5/25

TODAY: NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

The New Hampshire State Senate will meet Thursday, June 5 at 1 PM to vote on its version of the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget. The agenda, session packet, and live stream link can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/schedule/eventDetails.aspx?event=106&et=3

As you know, last week the Senate Finance Committee approved amendments to (1) Restore the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Arts Division (aka New Hampshire State Council on the Arts) in state law (a good thing), (2) Fund the Division at $150,000 in each year, (3) Create the Granite Patron of the Arts Fund in the office of the State Treasurer, which would allow the Council to fundraise, and (4) Create a tax credit program for contributors to the Fund, managed by the Department of Revenue Administration.

What the Committee approved essentially guts the agency. The tiny General Fund appropriation will result in the loss of close to $1 million in federal funding and impose a huge administrative burden on three state agencies (DNCR, State Treasurer, and Department of Revenue Administration) to create a special fundraising mechanism and related tax credit:

There are currently four (4) NHSCA staff positions whose salaries and benefits are paid with state funds – a $150,000 annual General Fund appropriation will barely support one (1) and will not cover any grants or any of the agency’s service provision and operating expenses. In addition, such a tiny state appropriation will result in the loss of close to $1 million in federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, which must be matched by the state dollar-for-dollar (New Hampshire’s funds will be distributed to other states). In addition to funding grants to the New Hampshire arts community, NHSCA’s federal money currently supports the agency’s service provision with an additional four (4) positions – including the director – and most of the agency’s operating expenses.
The Granite Patron of the Arts Fund and the associated tax credit would result in a situation in which NHSCA would be directly competing for funding against the nonprofits it was created to support.In addition, there would be multiple administrative hoops DNCR, the State Treasurer, and Department of Revenue Administration would have to jump through to create and administer the Fund and the tax credit. Government moves very slowly so it can be assumed that the Fund and tax credit would not be operational for at least the first year of the biennium. It is also unclear how the agency would solicit donations to the Fund without staff. Finally, any funds raised would not be able to be used to match federal dollars – by statute private funds may not be used for this purpose.

There’s still time to contact your State Senator and ask them to introduce/support a floor amendment that will restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ FY2026 – FY2027 funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget. While the Governor’s budget did cut NHSCA’s General Fund appropriation, it will be enough to draw down federal funds, make some grants, and continue to provide essential services to this important part of New Hampshire’s community life and economy.

Find your Senator’s contact information here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

6/4/25, 6/5/25

THIS WEEK: NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE TO ACT ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

The New Hampshire State Senate will meet this Thursday, June 5 at 1 PM. It is expected that the Senate will vote on its version of the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget at this meeting. The agenda, session packet, and live stream link can be found here (please note that at this writing HB1 and HB2 as amended are not included yet):

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/schedule/eventDetails.aspx?event=106&et=3

Prior to this session, the Finance Committee will meet on Monday June 2 from 10 AM – 5 PM and Tuesday from 1:30 – 4 PM in State House Room 103. Both agendas are labeled “Executive Session.” Meeting packets are usually posted here just before the meetings begin:

https://gc.nh.gov/LBA/budget/fy2026_2027_Senate_Finance_committee.aspx

Calendar notices and live stream links can be found here:

Monday

Tuesday

We’re getting down to the wire now. Even if you’ve already reached out, please contact your Senator ASAP and ask them to support a floor amendment that will restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ FY2026 – FY2027 funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget.

As you know, last week Senate Finance approved amendments which (1) Restores the DNCR Arts Division/ArtsCouncil in state law (a good thing), (2) Funds the Division at $150,000 in each year, (3) Creates the Granite Patron of the Arts Fund in the office of the State Treasurer, which would allow the Council to fundraise, and (4) Creates a tax credit program for contributors to the Fund, managed by the Department of Revenue Administration.

Here’s why the amendments – except for the one that restores NHSCA in statute – must not be enacted:

General Fund Allocation

While retaining the Council in law is laudable, the General Fund allocation is not. There are currently four NHSCA staff members whose salaries and benefits are paid with state funds – $150,000 will barely support one and will not cover any grants or any of the agency’s operating expenses. In addition, such a tiny state appropriation will result in the loss of close to $1 million in federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar. In addition to funding grants to the New Hampshire arts community, NHSCA’s federal money currently supports an additional four employees and most of the agency’s operating expenses. What Senate Finance has done essentially guts the agency.

Granite Patron of the Arts Fund

The Granite Patron of the Arts Fund and the associated tax credit would result in a situation in which the Council would be directly competing for funding against the nonprofits it was created to support. In addition, there would be multiple administrative hoops the Council, State Treasurer and Department of Revenue Administration would have to jump through to create and administer the Fund and the tax credit. Obviously, the Senate Finance budget writers didn’t think this through; government moves very slowly so it can be assumed that the Fund and tax credit would not be operational for at least the first year of the biennium. Here too, what Senate Finance has done essentially guts the agency.

There’s still time to contact your State Senator and ask them to support a floor amendment that will restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ FY2026 – FY2027 funding to the levels in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget.

Find your Senator’s contact information here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy!

6/2/25

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE FUNDS NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AT $150,000/YEAR FOR FY2026 – 2027

The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee today approved amendments to HB1 and HB2 – the FY2026 – 2027 state budget bills – which restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (the Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) in statute and fund the agency at $150,000 in each year, “for personnel and overhead costs.”

Also approved was the Granite Patron of the Arts Fund, a non-lapsing fund which “shall be the depository of all gifts, grants, federal funds, or donations made to the division of the arts or the New Hampshire council of the arts pursuant to RSA 19-A and RSA 12-A:2-, IV. Implementation expenses, the expenses of the division and council, any employees of the division or council, and operations and initiatives of the division and council shall be paid from such fund.”

The amendment also creates a tax credit program for businesses that contribute to the Fund. Operational details are not available, so we are not sure how it would work. Please see the amendment here:

Granite Patron of the Arts Fund 5-29-25

What we do know is that the National Endowment for the Arts will not release the Council’s Arts Partnership Grant for State FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) if the state does not match it dollar for dollar. It will take a significant amount of time for the State Treasurer’s office (where the Fund would be located) and the Department of Revenue Administration (which would administer the tax credits) to develop their administrative procedures, which would in all likelihood result in no federal match for FY2026.

Bottom line: while restoring the Arts Division/Arts Council in statute is a good thing, this method of funding is not. Please contact your State Senator NOW and ask them to support full restoration of the Arts Council at the Governor’s budget level when they vote on the budget next week.

Don’t know who your Senator is or need contact info? Click/tap this link:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy!

5/29/25

ARTS4NH BOARD MEMBER DEANNA HOYING ON WKXL RADIO’S NH UNSCRIPTED

Arts4NH Board member Deanna Hoying (also Executive Director of Symphony NH) joined Ray Dudley on his NH Unscripted show on WKXL radio (103.9/101.9 FM, 1450 AM) today! Click/tap the link to listen – she makes excellent arguments for restoring the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget.

https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?p=23803

5/28/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTS MEAN BUSINESS

Several years ago, John Constant, the owner of Constantly Pizza in Concord, spoke at an Arts4NH press conference in the Legislative Office Building. He spoke about the positive impact Capitol Center for the Arts had on his business – on show nights restaurant traffic increased exponentially, and he would have to boost staffing to handle it. A good problem to have and one that continues to this day!

John’s story is not unique. In every corner of New Hampshire, small (and large) businesses benefit from nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that are supported by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. As we continue our advocacy to have the agency restored in the FY2026 – 2027 state budget, stories like John’s need to be broadcast loudly.

Arts4NH has been collecting letters of support and stories about the impact of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts for some time and is now requesting stories from businesses that have been positively impacted by NHSCA grantees. Whether it’s increased foot traffic to a nearby café during performances, partnerships with local vendors, or meaningful collaborations with small businesses, these stories are powerful examples of the arts’ ripple effect in our communities.

Arts4NH asks that NHSCA grantees reach out to these businesses and encourage them to share their stories – whether through a short testimonial, a quote, or even a social media post. These narratives not only highlight the value of grantees’ work but also help amplify our collective message: the arts are vital to local economies and community well-being.

Please consider the following ways to support this effort:

Identify and connect with at least 2 – 3 local businesses that benefit from your events or presence.
Invite them to share how your organization has made a difference to them.
Offer to help craft or collect their stories for use in advocacy materials.
Drop testimonials and stories in this Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N1HPdKKCbFwY2d8xqQD6qqVvynb4TJoG?usp=drive_link
Tag and share their stories on your social media (and have them post through their own social media). A number of hashtags are currently in use: #NHArts; #ArtsConnectNH; #NHCreativeEconomy; #SaveNHSCA ; and #SaveNHArts, and we suggest adding another, #NHArtsMeanBusiness.

NHSCA grantees’ relationships with local businesses are a critical part of our arts ecosystem. By helping tell these stories, we strengthen our case for continued support, investment, and celebration of the arts. If you are a NHSCA grantee, please encourage your board members to personally contact their State Senators and the Governor. Their voices as community leaders are incredibly influential.

Thank you!

📷 Constantly Pizza

5/23/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE KILLS NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

In two 5 – 3 votes, the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee today basically agreed with the New Hampshire House of Representatives and eliminated the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts from state law.

The first vote was on an amendment offered by Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua), which would have reversed the House’s actions and restored the Council in statute and restored funding to the level in the Governor’s budget. The amendment was defeated.

The second vote was on an amendment offered by Senator Timothy Lang (R-Sanbornton), which was approved. The amendment fully repeals the original Arts Council statute and replaces it with new language that turns the Council into a voluntary body with the ability to fundraise:

Establishes a new “New Hampshire council on the arts, which shall be administratively attached to the department of natural and cultural resources in accordance with RSA 21-:10. The council shall operate independently and shall not be subject to the direction of the commissioner of the department.”
Creates a new non-lapsing fund, the “New Hampshire Council on the Arts Fund,” in the office of the state treasurer, which may accept donations, grants, and “federal matching funds.” The language does mention “employees of the council,” which is odd seeing as it would no longer be a state agency.
Funds the new Council at $1 in FY26 and $0 in FY27.

Full text of the amendment (in its unapproved format) is available here:

https://nharts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-21-25-nhsca_approved-senate-finance-packet.pdf

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

We are hopeful Senator Rosenwald will offer her amendment to restore the Arts Council when the body votes on the budget (they must do so by June 5). Please email or call your State Senator as soon as possible and ask them to support the amendment! Don’t know who your Senator is or need contact info? Click/tap this link:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

You should also contact Governor Kelly Ayotte as soon as possible and ask her to fight for the Arts Council when the budget gets to the Committee of Conference. The versions of the budget presented by the Governor and passed by the House and Senate will be very different and the Committee of Conference will have to iron out those differences before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The Governor will be part of this process. Yes, her proposed budget for the Council wasn’t great, but it was something and it retained the agency in state government. That’s the most we can hope for at this point, but it will allow the agency to continue to function and perhaps access funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Contact the Governor at:

(603) 271-2121
GovernorAyotte@governor.nh.gov
https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

Yes, this is a very disappointing day, but the fight isn’t over yet. Stay strong and continue your advocacy! Thank you!

5/21/25

SENATE FINANCE TO TAKE UP ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING TODAY

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will meet at 11:00 AM today for a Deliberative/Executive Session on the state’s FY2026 – 2027 budget. Among the agencies up for discussion is the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the parent agency of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

The meeting will be held in State House Room 103 in Concord and will be live streamed here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/raLr1kmwmG8?si=tIbE4aZRpxqKY6dQ

The packet the Committee will be working from should be available at the link below prior to the meeting – you might have to continually refresh the page to get it to appear in the “LBA Handouts (Recaps and Amendments)” section at the top of the page:

https://gc.nh.gov/lba/budget/fy2026_2027_Senate_Finance_committee.aspx

There’s still time to contact members of the Finance Committee to ask them to restore the Arts Council. Email the Committee from this link:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

Please visit this page for updates and thank you for your advocacy!

Image credit: Americans for the Arts

5/21/25

ACT NOW: CONTACT SENATE FINANCE AND YOUR SENATOR

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will discuss the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources‘ FY2026 – 2027 budget – which includes funding for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts – this coming Wednesday, May 21. The meeting will begin at 11:00 AM in State House Room 103 and is scheduled to end at 1 PM. It will also be live streamed here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/raLr1kmwmG8?si=tIbE4aZRpxqKY6dQ

Please note that the list of agencies on the Calendar Notice is tentative and “subject to change without notice,” so there’s a chance the Committee might discuss the agency’s budget at one of its other meetings next week, scheduled for Monday May 19 at 1:30 PM, Tuesday May 20 at 1:30 PM, Thursday May 22 at 2:30 PM, and Friday May 23 at 1:30 PM. The full Senate Calendar can be accessed here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/schedule/dailyschedule.aspx

It is imperative that members of the Senate Finance Committee and your own Senator should be contacted as soon as possible, requesting that the Arts Council’s budget be restored to at least the level that was in the Governor’s budget.

A very disturbing item appears in Kevin Landrigan’s column in this weekend’s New Hampshire Union Leader:

“In the coming weeks, we’ll see what is to become of two popular programs on the chopping block, the Office of the Child Advocate and the state Division of the Arts …

“The arts have a lot of support outside the State House, but not as much under the Dome.

“One scenario would have the Senate budget restore an account reference for the program, but put only $1 in it.

“This would permit the program to use its survival to pursue private funding and more charitable donations to support its work.”

This scenario would have the same end effect as the House’s total elimination of the agency, because a state match is required to be able to draw down federal Partnership funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Please contact members of the Senate Finance Committee and your own Senator as soon as possible, requesting that the Arts Council’s budget be restored to at least the level that was in the Governor’s budget. Thank you!

5/17/25

Look at all that pink! Each flag marks a place featured in New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best Places in the Granite State” issue (May 2025) – and every one is supported by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

From theatres and galleries to creative spaces in every corner of the state, the arts aren’t just alive in New Hampshire – they define what makes our communities great.

Contact your State Senator NOW and ask that they support restoration of the Arts Council in the FY2026 – 2027 state budget. Don’t know who your Senator is or need contact info? Click/tap this link: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

5/15/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING TODAY, MAY 6 AT 1 PM

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget today, May 6, in Representatives’ Hall in the State House. The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM and will last until all who wish to speak are heard. Registration to testify at the hearing will begin at 12 Noon in the anteroom of Reps’ Hall.

It’s not too late to submit written testimony in support of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts! Email the Committee from this page:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

If you can’t attend the hearing in person you can watch/listen to it here:

5/6/25

RALLY FOR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ON TUESDAY MAY 6

Attention arts advocates! Plan to meet tomorrow, Tuesday May 6, at 11:00 AM in front of the State House to pick up a bright yellow arts T-shirt, greet Senators as they arrive for the day, and participate in a rally for a better state budget at 12 Noon.

Registration to testify at the Senate Finance Committee budget hearing also begins at 12 Noon in the anteroom next to Representatives’ Hall, and testimony begins at 1 PM.

This will be a long day and night of testimonies due to the entire budget being presented. It has been suggested that everyone get there early to sign up and that only a few arts representatives should testify for the entire group.

New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Chair Mary McLaughlin will testify focusing on general issues and the expected impact on New Hampshire communities without support from Arts Council grants. At this writing we are aware of two others who will testify. Please email Mary at mwmbriar@gmail.com ASAP if you plan to testify.

You can also submit written testimony by emailing the Finance Committee from this page:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

Arts4NH is seeking specific stories on support for veterans, music therapy, and community outreach – please use this Google Docs link to add your story:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N1HPdKKCbFwY2d8xqQD6qqVvynb4TJoG

Thank you!

5/5/25

FY2024 – 2025 NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS GRANTS BY SENATE DISTRICT

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget on Tuesday, May 6 in Representatives’ Hall in the State House. The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM and will last until all who wish to speak are heard.

This is your time to be heard about the possible elimination of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts! Attend in person and sign up to speak or submit written testimony. Please scroll down to the next post for instructions on how to submit your testimony.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts awarded 343 grants in the state’s FY2024 – 2025 fiscal years. Below are Google Map links by Senate District that detail the grants. The grants are identified by blue location icons. When you contact your Senator, please refer to these grants in your testimony!

Don’t know who your Senator is? Click this link:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

FY2024 – 2025 NHSCA Grants by Senate District

District 1 – Sen. David Rochefort – 32 grants
*District 2 – Sen. Timothy Lang – 7 grants
District 3 – Sen. Mark McConkey – 20 grants
*District 4 – Sen. David Watters – 10 grants
District 5 – Sen. Suzanne Prentiss – 29 grants
*District 6 – Sen. James Gray – 15 grants
*District 7 – Sen. Daniel Innis – 22 grants
District 8 – Sen. Ruth Ward – 18 grants
District 9 – Sen. Denise Ricciardi – 2 grants
District 10 – Sen. Donovan Fenton – 38 grants
District 11 – Sen. Tim McGough – 4 grants
District 12 – Sen. Kevin Avard – 6 grants (2 shared with Sen. Rosenwald)
*District 13 – Sen. Cindy Rosenwald – 16 grants (2 shared with Sen. Avard)
*District 14 – Sen. Sharon Carson – 7 grants
District 15 – Sen. Tara Reardon – 35 grants
District 16 – Sen. Keith Murphy – 7 grants
*District 17 – Sen. Howard Pearl – 8 grants
District 18 – Sen. Victoria Sullivan – 7 grants
*District 19 – Sen. Regina Birdsell – 2 grants
District 20 – Sen. Pat Long – 10 grants
District 21 – Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka – 43 grants
District 22 – Sen. Darryl Abbas – 2 grants
District 23 – Sen. Bill Gannon – 2 grants
District 24 – Sen. Debra Altschiller – 12 grants

* Senate Finance Committee Member

Thank you!

5/3/25

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING TUESDAY MAY 6, 1:00 PM

The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget on Tuesday, May 6 in Representatives’ Hall in the State House. The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM and will last until all who wish to speak are heard.

This is your time to be heard about the possible elimination of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts! Attend in person and sign up to speak, or submit written testimony! Instructions:

Visit this website to register your opinion on the House budget bills (HB1, HB2) and submit written testimony: https://gc.nh.gov/remotecommittee/senate.aspx
Select the date of the hearing: May 6.
Select the Committee: Senate Finance.
Choose the bill: HB1, which essentially zeros out Arts Council Funding, or HB 2, which eliminates the Arts Council from state law. Unfortunately you can’t choose both on the form.
Choose the appropriate option from the I am drop-down menu. Most of us will choose “A Member of the Public.”
Type in who you are representing in the I’m Representing text box. The system will default to “Myself.”
Click/tap the I Oppose this Bill button.
Click/tap Continue. A new window will open where you will fill out your first and last names and town.
Click/tap Continue. Click/tap the checkbox on the new screen to complete the process.
If you have written testimony, please email it to the Committee using the link that appears on the screen (“Please email written testimony and documents you wish to share with the Committee to the Committee Members.”)

Written testimony will be included in the public record of the hearing and is strongly encouraged. Please tell your organization or personal stories about why the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is an essential state agency and how funding has positively impacted you. Thank you!

4/30/25

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DNCR BUDGET ON APRIL 25

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will meet with representatives from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) this Friday, April 25, at 3 PM for a short discussion on the department’s FY2026 – 2027 budget. The full agenda is available here.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, which was significantly cut in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s proposed budget and totally eliminated in the New Hampshire House’s version of the budget (HB1, HB2), is one of five divisions within DNCR.

The meeting will be held in State House Room 103 and is open to the public. It will also be live streamed here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjBZdtrjRnQdmg-2MPMiWrA

In advance of this meeting, please contact DNCR Commissioner Sarah Stewart and ask her to press the Finance Committee for full restoration of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts:

Phone: 603-271-2411

Email: sarah.l.stewart@dncr.nh.gov

Also, please contact members of the Finance Committee to tell your personal and/or organizational story about why the Arts Council is important:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

You can also use the portal created by our friends at Americans for the Arts to contact your Senator. Please customize the message!

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

Direct Senate contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses) is available here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you!

4/21/25

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEGINS WORK ON FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET

The New Hampshire State Senate Finance Committee will begin its work on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget today, Monday, April 14. The meeting will begin at 1 PM with a presentation from the House Finance Committee and a presentation by the Legislative Budget Assistant at 2 PM. These presentations will be followed by short discussions with representatives from several state agencies.

The meeting will be held in State House Room 103 and is open to the public. It will also be live streamed here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/A-RJeko6-rU?si=TV0V9kAAyjop7BX7

According to the Senate Calendar, the Committee will also meet on Tuesday, April 15 at 1 PM and Friday, April 18 at 1:30 PM to meet with various state agencies. At present the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (the agency in which the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts lives) is not listed on the agendas. Please watch your email and socials for updates!

In the meantime, please contact members of the Finance Committee and ask them to fully restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

You can also use the portal created by our friends at Americans for the Arts to contact your Senator. You can customize the message any way you want:

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

Direct Senate contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses) is available here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you!

4/14/25

LEGISLATIVE CONTACT PORTAL UPDATED

Our friends at Americans for the Arts (thank you!!) have updated the New Hampshire legislative communications portal to focus on the New Hampshire State Senate!

Click/tap the link below to access, and please share. You can customize the message any way you want.

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

You can also contact your Senator directly by phone or email from this link:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you!

4/11/25

NH HOUSE AMENDMENT TO RESTORE ARTS COUNCIL FAILS – ON TO THE STATE SENATE

Today, April 10, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 177 to 185 on an amendment that would have restored the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in the FY2026 – 2027 state budget. Many thanks to Representatives Wilhelm, Bridle, and Nagel for introducing it, we are very grateful.

Our focus now moves to the State Senate, particularly the Finance Committee. The Senate process is similar to the House’s: the Finance Committee will review the House’s budget (and the Governor’s original proposal), hold its own meetings and hearings, and vote on their version of the budget, which will then go to the full Senate.

Once the Senate passes its version of the budget, a Committee of Conference will be convened with representatives from the House and Senate, to iron out differences between the two proposals. When agreement is reached, the House and Senate will vote again and the budget will go to the Governor. The deadline for the new budget is the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

Please write ASAP to the Finance Committee and your Senator. Finance Committee contact:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=32

Full Senate contact:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Our message is simple. Please ask Senators to fully restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) in statute, restore all eight staff positions, and fund the agency at the FY2025 authorized level.

If your nonprofit organization receives grants from the Arts Council, you should discuss how you use the funds to serve your constituency and leverage your grant(s) to raise additional funds to support your mission (Arts Council grants are often seen as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” because organizations are fully vetted. This is very important to other funders).

If you’re an individual artist who has benefited from Art Council grants, please discuss how these opportunities have benefited your career as a small businessperson.

Let’s keep the momentum going! Thank you!

4/10/25

TODAY’S THE DAY: NH HOUSE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

The New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget (HB1 and HB2) today, Thursday, April 10. The session will begin at 10 AM and will be streamed live on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/_6YHln7DHp8?feature=shared

The GOP-crafted budget defunds the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, eliminates all eight authorized positions, and repeals the 1965 statute that created the Council. A bipartisan amendment will be presented to reverse this, sponsored by Representatives Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) and Nicholas Bridle (R-Hampton). The same language will also be included in a comprehensive “Better Budget” amendment by House Democrats. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know what time these amendments will be offered, so keep watching the stream!

It’s not too late to call or email your Reps (even if they’re Republicans) and urge them to vote YES on the Wilhelm-Bridle and House Democrat budget amendments. Recommended text and contact information are here:

https://nharts.org/news

Thank you!

📷 Anonymous, used with permission

4/10/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE BUDGET VOTE THURSDAY, APRIL 10

The New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on the FY2026 – 2027 state budget (HB1 and HB2) tomorrow, Thursday, April 10. The session will begin at 10 AM and will be streamed live on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/_6YHln7DHp8?feature=shared

If you haven’t already, please reach out to your Reps (even if they’re Republicans) and urge them to vote YES on the Wilhelm-Bridle and House Democrat budget amendments. You can call or email. Recommended text:

Dear Representative [Name],

I am calling/emailing you today to ask you to support the Wilhelm-Bridle budget amendment and the House Democrats’ “Better Budget” amendment, both of which will fully fund the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (the Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) at the FY2025 level and restore the agency in state statute.

This small agency’s grant program for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and artists ($1,010,000 in state funds, $481,464 in federal funds in FY2025) leverages over $50 million in spending by grantee organizations every year, which contributes greatly to the state’s robust creative economy ($3.4 billion annually as estimated by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis). In 2024, NHSCA gave more than $1.5 million to 180 projects in over 60 towns. This funding supports organizations that are employers, educators, and community hubs that serve everyone and generate significant economic and social impact in their communities. They depend on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts not only for funding, but also for services and supports to help them meet their missions every day.

Thank you in advance for supporting these amendments when they come before you on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Find contact information for your Reps here:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Thank you!

📷 Anonymous, used with permission

4/9/25

REPRESENTATIVES WILHELM AND BRIDLE TO INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BUDGET AMENDMENT TO RESTORE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FUNDING AND STATUTE

On Thursday April 10, Representatives Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) and Nicholas Bridle (R-Hampton) will introduce a bipartisan budget amendment on the House floor to reverse the proposed elimination of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) and fully restore its funding in the state budget. Please reach out to your State Representative(s) and urge them to vote YES on the Wilhelm-Bridle budget amendment on Thursday!

Organizations you know and love have received vital support from NHSCA. These grants help make local concerts, art walks, exhibits, youth programs, theater, and cultural events possible. In 2024 alone, NHSCA gave more than $1.5 million to 180 projects in over 60 towns, helping to keep our communities vibrant and connected. This funding supports real jobs, small businesses, and a creative economy that brings in $3.4 billion to our state and supports 21,000 jobs — as many as the construction industry.

Please contact your Reps ASAP to ask them to vote YES on the Wilhelm-Bridle amendment when it comes up on Thursday. Suggested text for emails or phone calls:

Dear Representative [Name],

I am calling/emailing you today to ask you to support the Wilhelm-Bridle budget amendment, which will fully fund the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (the Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) at the FY2025 level and restore the agency in state statute.

This small agency’s grant program for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and artists ($1,010,000 in state funds, $481,464 in federal funds in FY2025) leverages over $50 million in spending by grantee organizations every year, which contributes greatly to the state’s robust creative economy ($3.4 billion annually as estimated by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis). The state’s nonprofit arts organizations are employers, educators, and community hubs that serve everyone and generate significant economic and social impact in their communities. They depend on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts not only for funding, but also for services and supports to help them meet their missions every day.

Thank you in advance for supporting this amendment when it comes before you on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Find contact information for your Reps here:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Thank you!

4/8/25

ARTS ADVOCATES ON CONCORD TV

Deanna Hoying of Symphony NH and Arts4NH, Roger Brooks, former Chair of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and Lynne Guimond Sabean of Concord Community Music School joined ConcordTV to discuss the impact of the New Hampshire House’s FY2026 – 2027 budget, which defunds and eliminates the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Please watch and share, and use these hashtags when posting on your socials: #NHArts #ArtsConnectNH #NHCreativeEconomy #SaveNHSCA #SaveNHArts

4/8/25

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE BUDGET VOTE THURSDAY, APRIL 10

It’s budget week for the New Hampshire House of Representatives. On Thursday they will vote on a FY2026 – 2027 budget that defunds the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, eliminates all eight authorized positions, and repeals the 1965 statute that created the Council. Full budget information can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/LBA/budget/FY2026_2027_budget.aspx

Have you contacted your Reps yet to ask them to oppose this measure and offer floor amendments to restore the agency? If not, please do it now by using this portal, provided by Americans for the Arts:

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

You can also contact your Reps directly. Contact information can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

This week’s lineup:

Tuesday, April 8: The House Finance Committee will present budget details to the full House tomorrow at 10 AM. It’ll be streamed on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/RguEeWfVGQQ?feature=shared

Wednesday, April 9: New Hampshire House Democrats’ Demand A Better Budget Rally, 12 – 1 PM at the State House in Concord.

Learn more about the Rally here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AQTGihUkP/

Arts4NH has created graphics you can download and use for signs:

https://bit.ly/4hYYwB6

Thursday, April 10: The House will vote on the budget. The session will begin at 10 AM and will be live streamed on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/_6YHln7DHp8?feature=shared

Following the vote, the budget bills will advance to the State Senate. Please contact your Senator now and ask them to fully restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) in statute, restore all eight staff positions, and fund the agency at the FY2025 authorized level.

Senate contact information can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

Thank you!

4/7/25

BE THERE! NH HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ DEMAND A BETTER BUDGET RALLY

New Hampshire House Democrats are holding a Demand A Better Budget Rally on Wednesday, April 9 from Noon – 1 PM at the State House in Concord.

“Join NH House Democrats in speaking out against an absolutely disastrous Republican budget that will have a devastating impact on healthcare, the arts, higher education, social services, and more.” Learn more about the Rally here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AQTGihUkP/

Arts4NH has created graphics you can download and use for signs:

https://bit.ly/4hYYwB6

Let’s be there in force on April 9! Between now and then, if you haven’t sent messages to your House Reps and State Senator yet, you can do it from this link, courtesy of Americans for the Arts:

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

At this writing, over 6,500 people have used the portal. Our goal is 10,000 by April 10, when the House will vote on the budget.

Let’s keep the momentum going! Thank you!

4/4/25

HOUSE FINANCE AGREES TO DEFUND NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND ELIMINATE THE AGENCY FROM STATE LAW

This afternoon, March 31, the New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted on party lines to support the House Finance Division 1 Committee’s recommendation that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts be defunded and eliminated from state law (statute). The proposal also eliminates all eight authorized staff positions.

What happens now?

Once House Finance concludes its work early this week, the revised budget bills (HB1 and HB2) will come before the full House for a vote, currently scheduled for Thursday, April 10. Both bills can be amended on the House floor, so when you contact your local Reps, please ask them propose amendments to HB1 and HB2 that would:

Fully restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) in statute, restore all eight staff positions, and fund the agency at the FY2025 authorized level.

It’s important to reach out to your local Reps now so they have time to get amendments drafted. Simple email or phone messages are best, i.e.:

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am a constituent living at [your street address]. I’m calling/writing to you today to ask you to oppose defunding and eliminating the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) when HB1 and HB2 come before you on April 10, and offer floor amendments to fully restore the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) in statute, restore all eight staff positions, and fund the agency at the FY2025 authorized level.

This small agency’s grant program for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and artists ($1,010,000 in state funds, $481,464 in federal funds in FY2025) leverages over $50 million in spending by grantee organizations every year, which contributes greatly to the state’s robust creative economy ($3.4 billion annually as estimated by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis). The state’s nonprofit arts organizations are employers, educators, and community hubs that serve everyone and generate significant economic and social impact in their communities. They depend on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts not only for funding, but also for services and supports to help them meet their missions every day.

I hope you will join with me to oppose eliminating this essential agency and offer floor amendments to fully restore it. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Click/tap this link to find your Reps’ contact information:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

You can also use this tool developed by Arts4NH and Americans for the Arts:

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

Thank you!

3/31/25

HOUSE FINANCE MEETS TODAY – MONDAY, MARCH 31

The New Hampshire House Finance Committee will meet today, Monday, March 31 to consider recommendations from the Finance Division 1 Committee, including defunding the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in FY2026 – FY2027.

This meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed. Details:

Monday, March 31, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Room 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street, Concord
Live Streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/2KwDZwPg-CQ?si=TahzOXu0uWbsY9Gs

Scroll down for contact information for both the Committee and your local Reps. It’s not too late to send messages!

3/31/25

ARTS4NH AND AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS CREATE LEGISLATIVE COMMUNICATIONS PORTAL

Arts4NH, New Hampshire’s arts advocacy organization, and Americans for the Arts, its national counterpart, have created a portal from which you can communicate with your state legislators about the possible elimination of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

Click/tap the link below to access, and please share. You can customize the message in any way you want.

https://americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/116529/

3/28/25

ACT NOW: HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ARTS COUNCIL DEFUNDING ON MONDAY, MARCH 31

The New Hampshire House Finance Committee will meet on Monday, March 31 to consider recommendations from the Finance Division 1 Committee, including the defunding of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in FY2026 – FY2027.

Details:

Monday, March 31, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Room 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street, Concord
Live Streamed on YouTube

Please contact members of the Finance Committee IMMEDIATELY and tell them to oppose this recommendation!

Click/tap this link for contact information for the House Finance Committee:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?id=2

Also please contact your own Reps and ask them to contact members of the Finance Committee in opposition to the recommendation.

Click/tap this link to find your Reps’ contact information:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

Thank you!

3/28/25

NH HOUSE FINANCE DIVISION 1 COMMITTEE AXES NH STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS – UNDERSTANDING THE BUDGET PROCESS

On Monday, March 24, the New Hampshire House Finance Division 1 Committee voted 5 – 4 to completely defund the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the Arts Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

This is the first in a multi-step legislative process to craft the FY2026 – FY2027 State Budget. The Division 1 proposal will next go to the full Finance Committee, so advocacy should be focused there right now, along with contacting your local Reps.

Click/tap this link for contact information for the House Finance Committee:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?id=22

Click/tap this link to find your Reps’ contact information:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

After the House Finance Committee agrees on the budget, it will go to the full House for a vote. Assuming it’s approved, it will then go to the State Senate for their process. The deadline for the House to act is April 10, which is referred to as “Crossover Day.”

The Senate process is similar to the House’s; the Finance Committee will review the House’s budget (and the Governor’s original proposal), hold its own meetings and hearings, and vote on their version of the budget, which will then go to the full Senate.

Please keep the emails and phone calls going to the House Finance Committee and your local Reps! New Hampshire’s arts advocacy organization, Arts4NH, recently released materials you can use in your advocacy. Click here!

3/26/25

ARTS4NH BUDGET ADVOCACY MATERIALS

The Governor’s proposed FY2026–2027 state budget slashes funding for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, specifically its non-federal grants line, which supports artists, nonprofit arts organizations, and arts activities of all kinds throughout the state, contributing greatly to the state’s creative economy and quality of life. The budget cuts grant funding by 59% in FY2026 as compared to FY2025, and another 66% in FY2027. In FY2025, $1,010,000 was authorized for non-federal grants. $600,000 is proposed for FY2026, and $400,000 for FY2027.

New Hampshire’s arts advocacy organization, Arts4NH, recently released materials you can use in your advocacy against Governor Ayotte’s proposed cuts. Click here!

3/12/25

ARTS ADVOCACY EVENT TUESDAY MARCH 4

Attention New Hampshire arts advocates! Join Arts4NH and the League of NH Craftsmen on Tuesday March 4 at 3 PM (doors open at 2 PM) at Bank of NH Stage in Concord for a screening of the League’s film, “A Handmade Life,” and an important arts advocacy discussion.

The discussion will focus on advocacy efforts with the New Hampshire House of Representatives and State Senate to reject Governor Kelly Ayotte’s proposed drastic cut to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts FY2026 – 2027 budget (scroll down on this page for info on the budget proposal). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the link. Please share and plan to attend!

https://www.ccanh.com/show/25000323

3/3/35

TAKE ACTION NOW – HOUSE FINANCE DIVISION 1 BUDGET WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 28

Have you contacted the New Hampshire House Finance Committee and your own Reps yet about Governor Kelly Ayotte’s proposed cuts to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ budget? If not, please do it now – House Finance Division 1 will meet with representatives from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (the department in which the Arts Council lives) on Friday February 28 at 1:15 PM to review the Governor’s proposal. The more people they hear from the better!

Click/tap this link for contact information for the Finance Division 1 members:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/links.aspx?x=3&id=25

Click/tap this link for contact information for the full House Finance Committee:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/links.aspx?x=3&id=22

Click/tap this link to find your Reps’ contact information:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

If enacted, these deep cuts will seriously harm New Hampshire’s arts community and the state’s creative economy. Please contact your Reps today!

2/23/25

AYOTTE BUDGET SLASHES STATE ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte’s FY2026 – 2027 state budget proposes to cut the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ state funding by 33% in FY2026 and 46% in FY2027, as compared with the authorized adjusted amounts appropriated for FY2025.

The budget, which was released on February 13, proposes total state funding of $966,371 in FY2026 and $777,642 in FY2027, compared to $1,440,146 authorized in FY2025.

The biggest hit is the agency’s non-federal grants line, which the proposal cuts by 59% in FY2026 as compared to FY2025, and another 66% in FY2027. In FY2025, $1,010,000 was authorized for non-federal grants. $600,000 is proposed for FY2026, and $400,000 for FY2027.

Grant categories are designed to meet constituent needs and serve as a public investment in the cultural life of the state. They impact our communities in many ways, helping to promote the state’s extraordinary creative economy (worth $3.4 billion according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis) and enhance the quality of life in communities and schools. Grants are very competitive and require applicants to address specific criteria, exemplify high standards of excellence in artistry and administration, and leverage private sector support in the form of matching goods and services. It is estimated that the Arts Council’s grant investments leverage over $2 million in in-kind goods and services, and over $50 million in income by grantee organizations and projects. Arts grants:

Help to secure the nonprofit arts infrastructure of our state.
Help organizations enrich their communities culturally and economically.
Bring artists into the schools to help develop the creative skills of our youth.
Bring artists into health care facilities to help heal and improve the quality of life for residents and patients.
Help to preserve traditional art forms for future generations.
Help artists build essential business skills.
Honor artists for accomplishment and professional commitment.

Grant categories currently supported by the Council’s non-federal grants line include:

Artist Entrepreneurial Grants, grants for individual artists
Arts for Community Engagement Grants, which support community enrichment and public benefit by providing access to high quality arts performances, activities, and programs presented by community-based organizations, Main Street programs, and municipalities.
Arts in Health Project Grants, which support arts activities that occur in community spaces and health-based facilities.
Artist in Residence Grants, which fund artist residencies that bring juried teaching artists into classrooms and public schools to support creative learning and skills development in the arts.
Folklife and Traditional Arts Project Grants, which support projects that focus on presenting and preserving folklife and traditional arts in New Hampshire.
Public Value Partnership Grants, which provide general operating support to nonprofit cultural organizations over a two-year period.
Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, which fund a master traditional artist to teach an experienced apprentice in one-to-one sessions for a minimum of 65 hours over a period of six to ten months.
Youth Arts Projects, which fund high-quality and experiential educational opportunities in the arts for students pre-K through 12th grade.

ACT NOW!

The Governor’s budget proposal now goes to the New Hampshire House of Representatives’ Finance Committee, which has three divisions. The Arts Council, which is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is assigned to Division 1. Division 1 will hold hearings on the budget proposal and following its deliberation will make recommendations to the full Finance Committee (once hearings are scheduled, we’ll send all pertinent information so you can testify in person or submit testimony online).

Don’t wait for the hearings, though! It is imperative that Committee members and all House Reps hear from the arts community as soon as possible, asking them to support full restoration of the Arts Council’s non-federal grants line at $1,010,000/year for FY2026 and FY2027.

Click/tap this link for contact information for the Finance Division 1 members:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/links.aspx?x=3&id=25

Click/tap this link for contact information for the full House Finance Committee:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/links.aspx?x=3&id=22

Click/tap this link to find your Reps’ contact information:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

If enacted, these deep cuts will seriously harm New Hampshire’s arts community and the state’s creative economy. Please contact your Reps today!

2/14/25

ACT NOW! OPPOSE HB283

New Hampshire House Bill 283 seeks to re-write New Hampshire’s definition of an adequate education (education required for graduation) and seeks to remove the following subject areas from that definition:

All Arts Education, including Visual, Music and Performing Arts
World Languages
Engineering and Technology
Personal Finance
Computer Science
Remove civics, government, geography, history, and Holocaust and genocide education from the Social Studies curriculum

If the definition of an adequate education is rewritten, schools would no longer be required to budget for or provide these services.

Please join New Hampshire Creates in opposing this bill. A hearing will be held Monday, February 10, at 1:30 PM in Room 205-207 of the Legislative Office Building. If you can’t attend the hearing in person, please follow the instructions below to share your opposition to this bill and your support of a strong, well-rounded education in New Hampshire.

1. Click this link for the House Remote Sign In Sheet:

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx

2. Fill out your personal information.

3. Select Monday, February 10 from the calendar.

4. Select House Education Policy and Administration from the Select the Committee menu.

5. Select 1:30 PM – HB283 from the Choose the Bill menu.

6. Choose the appropriate option from the I am drop-down menu. Most of us will choose “A Member of the Public.”

7. Type in who you are representing in the I’m Representing text box. The system will default to “Myself.”

8. Click/tap the I Oppose this Bill button.

9. If you have written testimony, upload it in the Upload Remote Testimony area, or type your testimony into the text box.

10. Click/tap Submit.

The full text of the bill can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=633&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB283

2/7/25

ACT NOW! Support SB286

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB286, which would create the New Hampshire Office of Film and Creative Media in the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and establish two new tax credits under the Business Enterprise Tax for film and motion picture production companies, will come before the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee this Wednesday, February 5, at 1:15 PM in State House Room 103.

As you may know, the New Hampshire Film Office was eliminated several years ago, leaving the industry without governmental support. The new Office of Film and Creative Media’s responsibilities would include connecting New Hampshire’s film and media industry, serving as a point of contact for production companies, providing information on tax incentives, maintaining databases of industry professionals and opportunities, and promoting New Hampshire as a filming destination. The bill also creates two Business Enterprise Tax (BET) credits for film and motion picture production companies: a BET credit of 25% for qualifying employee wages and a production-related expenses tax credit of 25% (with eligibility requirements specified). Tax credits are important for industry growth; in New England, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut offer production incentives.

This is a tough year to be asking for funds and positions for a new governmental office, given the state’s budget situation and current hiring freeze, but the bill will certainly raise awareness of the impact and potential of the film industry in New Hampshire, and that’s an excellent start.

It’s easy to make your voice heard in support of this bill. If you can’t attend the hearing to testify in person, please follow the steps below to register your support:

1. Click this link for the Senate Remote Sign In Sheet:

https://gc.nh.gov/remotecommittee/senate.aspx

2. Select Senate Executive Departments and Administration from the Select the Committee drop-down menu.

3. Select 1:15 PM – SB286 from the Choose the Bill drop-down menu.

4. Choose the appropriate option from the I am drop-down menu. Most of us will choose “A Member of the Public.”

5. Type in who you are representing in the I’m Representing text box. The system will default to “Myself.”

6. Click/tap the I Support this Bill button.

7. Click/tap Continue. A new window will open where you will fill out your first and last names and town.

8. Click/tap Continue. Click/tap the checkbox on the new screen to complete the process.

If you have written testimony, please email it to the Committee using the Email Entire Committee link on this page:

https://gc.nh.gov/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=31

Full text of the bill can be found here:

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/billText.aspx?id=1091&txtFormat=html&sy=2025

You can watch the Committee’s livestream from the New Hampshire Senate’s YouTube Channel, here:

https://www.youtube.com/@NewHampshireSenate

Thank you for supporting SB286!

2/3/25

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS STAFF SAY GOODBYE

AYOTTE SIGNS BUDGET THAT DECIMATES NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET THIS THURSDAY

FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE CONCLUDES ITS BUSINESS

“WE’RE THE PEOPLE WHO THINK THE STATE SHOULDN’T BE IN THE BUSINESS OF FUNDING ARTS.” ~ REP. DAN MCGUIRE, JUNE 18, 2025

FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE AGREES TO SENATE ARTS COUNCIL PLAN

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE TO RETURN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 AT 10 AM

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE TO RETURN TUESDAY, JUNE 17 AT 10 AM

BUDGET COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE RETURNS MONDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE BREAKS UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM

Time is running out – send your emails and make your calls NOW! Thank you!

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE APPOINTED FOR FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

Time is running out – send your emails and make your calls NOW! Thank you!

FORMER DIRECTOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS PENS OP-ED

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SENATE VOTES TO DESTROY NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

TODAY: NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

THIS WEEK: NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE TO ACT ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE FUNDS NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AT $150,000/YEAR FOR FY2026 – 2027

ARTS4NH BOARD MEMBER DEANNA HOYING ON WKXL RADIO’S NH UNSCRIPTED

NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTS MEAN BUSINESS

NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE KILLS NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

SENATE FINANCE TO TAKE UP ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING TODAY

ACT NOW: CONTACT SENATE FINANCE AND YOUR SENATOR

NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING TODAY, MAY 6 AT 1 PM

RALLY FOR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ON TUESDAY MAY 6

FY2024 – 2025 NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS GRANTS BY SENATE DISTRICT

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING TUESDAY MAY 6, 1:00 PM

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DNCR BUDGET ON APRIL 25

NH SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEGINS WORK ON FY2026 – 2027 BUDGET

LEGISLATIVE CONTACT PORTAL UPDATED

NH HOUSE AMENDMENT TO RESTORE ARTS COUNCIL FAILS – ON TO THE STATE SENATE

TODAY’S THE DAY: NH HOUSE TO VOTE ON FY2026 – 2027 STATE BUDGET

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE BUDGET VOTE THURSDAY, APRIL 10

REPRESENTATIVES WILHELM AND BRIDLE TO INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BUDGET AMENDMENT TO RESTORE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FUNDING AND STATUTE

ARTS ADVOCATES ON CONCORD TV

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE BUDGET VOTE THURSDAY, APRIL 10

BE THERE! NH HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ DEMAND A BETTER BUDGET RALLY

HOUSE FINANCE AGREES TO DEFUND NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND ELIMINATE THE AGENCY FROM STATE LAW

HOUSE FINANCE MEETS TODAY – MONDAY, MARCH 31

ARTS4NH AND AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS CREATE LEGISLATIVE COMMUNICATIONS PORTAL

ACT NOW: HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ARTS COUNCIL DEFUNDING ON MONDAY, MARCH 31

NH HOUSE FINANCE DIVISION 1 COMMITTEE AXES NH STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS – UNDERSTANDING THE BUDGET PROCESS

ARTS4NH BUDGET ADVOCACY MATERIALS

ARTS ADVOCACY EVENT TUESDAY MARCH 4

TAKE ACTION NOW – HOUSE FINANCE DIVISION 1 BUDGET WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 28

AYOTTE BUDGET SLASHES STATE ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING

ACT NOW!

ACT NOW! OPPOSE HB283

ACT NOW! Support SB286

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