Hope for New Hampshire Artists: NHAA receives a $150k lifeline amid arts funding cuts

CDFA Awards New Hampshire Art Association $150,000 in Tax Credits to Support the Rural Artist Carrier Service and the Artist Professional Development Program. These programs will support an increase in economic and educational opportunities for underemployed artists, especially those living in rural and underserved regions of the state. 

 

PORTSMOUTH –The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) has awarded New Hampshire Art Association $150,000 to support The Rural Artist Carrier Service and the Artist Professional Development Program. The funds will increase economic and educational opportunities for underemployed artists, especially those living in rural and underserved regions of the state.

“This concept has been percolating in my mind since I took on the role of NHAA’s executive director in 2022," said Amanda Kidd-Kestler, executive director of the New Hampshire Art Association.

"How can we leverage our location in Portsmouth, which attracts visitors from around the country during our tourist season, and spread the opportunity to artists living in rural communities? We hope to find the answer in these pilot programs. The biggest complaints we hear from NH artists are that our gallery is too far away and the distance prevents them from participating in our professional development programs and exhibition opportunities. Now we will be able to meet the artists where they are and expand our reach. We are grateful to the NH CDFA for awarding us this opportunity at a time when arts funding is being cut. We hope that NH artists will feel the same sense of hope that we do, that the arts are still alive and thriving thanks to community support.” 

 

According to Katy Easterly Martey, executive director of CDFA, "This year’s awardees have demonstrated a deep dedication to their communities and are leading impactful projects that will deliver critical services and infrastructure needed throughout the Granite State. CDFA’s Tax Credit and Capacity Building Programs are a vital resource for New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities to advance projects that create the foundation for strong, thriving communities and grow our economy.”

Through the Rural Artist Carrier Service and the Artist Professional Development program, NHAA plans to break down barriers and promote equity for artists across New Hampshire. NHAA has watched the NH State Council on the Arts lose its funding, and along with it, many organizations don’t have the resources to continue operating. NHAA wants to fill the gap, and CDFA’s grant gives NH artists hope.     

New Hampshire needs a strong, effective nonprofit network with the capacity to support our communities and envision, create, and implement broad-based community economic development projects. Community Economic Development Capacity Building Program resources will support organizations like NHAA in advancing their mission and serving the needs of New Hampshire communities.

Grants are made to organizations in the form of tax equity. New Hampshire businesses support the selected projects by purchasing the tax credits, resulting in the nonprofit receiving a donation and the company receiving a 75 percent New Hampshire state tax credit against that contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Insurance Premium.

“We are grateful to the NH CDFA for awarding us this opportunity at a time when arts funding is being cut. We hope that NH artists will feel the same sense of hope that we do, that the arts are still alive and thriving thanks to community support," said Kidd-Kestler.

 

About NHAA

Originally incorporated in 1940, New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit contemporary arts organization dedicated to exhibiting and supporting emerging New England artists. In 1990, NHAA opened its doors in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at 136 State Street thanks to philanthropists, lenders, and leadership who recognized the need for a community space to support the visual arts. We operate thanks to the generosity of artists, audiences, and donors for whom we are grateful.   

 

To learn more about CDFA’s Tax Credit Program, visit:  https://nhcdfa.org/investing-in-nh-communities/tax-credit-program/. 

About the Community Development Finance Authority The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs. Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources, and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA and its programs, visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170

 

---

DISCLAIMER: The above content wasn't created by, but is being shared by the Chamber Collaborative on behalf of a member.