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 regional 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.

Mission Statement

NHAA serves established and emerging artists to cultivate creativity, community, and culture through education, events, and exhibitions.

Diversity Statement

NHAA believes that an organization's capacity to reflect and respond to the rich diversity of our society profoundly impacts its ability to fulfill its mission, vision, and values. Accordingly, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally and in partnership with our members and the community we serve.

Vision

The confluence of art and community inspires conversation, bridges differences, and nurtures empathy.

Values

NHAA is rooted in the idea that art is for everyone, locally, and globally. We believe that art has the potential to empower artists to transform lives, influence change, and provide meaning and inspiration.

Tax Exempt Status

NHAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ein: 02-6009812

NHAA Non-Discrimination Policy

Adopted by the Board of Directors on September 14, 2021

New Hampshire Art Association complies with all discrimination laws, including those based on race, color, religion, gender, age, nationality, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military record, or citizenship. NHAA prohibits discrimination based on prohibited characteristics in all of its activities, such as hiring and firing of employees, considering artists for Membership, volunteers, or vendors, as well as providing our services. We create a diverse and friendly environment for all staff, Members, artists, clients, volunteers, vendors, visitors, and buyers of art.

To maintain our artistic standards, NHAA requires artists to be juried into the Association. The Criteria for Acceptance are set forth on our website. We consider originality and a matured distinctive style; technical skill in controlling and utilizing the medium; competence in the principles of design and elements of art (design, balance, color, values, focal point, etc.) a consistency of quality, style, and expression; and high-quality standards of presentation. See Criteria for Acceptance and New Member Jurying FAQ pages for more information.

NHAA is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We practice no discrimination and affirmatively seek to ensure against discrimination in all aspects of employment, hiring, pay rates, termination, promotion, and all other terms of employment, including working conditions. This includes discrimination against any employee or prospective employee on the basis of protected characteristics as defined under federal law, and New Hampshire state law. (9/14/2021)

Land Acknowledgement

The City of Portsmouth is on the homelands of the Abenaki people, who have ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this area. According to Tribal oral tradition, Abenaki people have lived in the place now called New Hampshire for more than 12,000 years—since before Tribal memory. The Abenaki are part of a larger group of Indigenous people who called themselves Wabanaki or "People of the Dawn," and form one of many communities connected by a common language family. The New Hampshire Art Association acknowledges the history of this land and honors the people who have stewarded it through the generations.