Advocacy: Stand up for the Arts

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.

Preferred text for emails or phone calls:

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,