What is New Hampshire? & Arts, Culture, and Media-Part One
by Rusty Mosca, Class of 2012
When Steve asked me to be the scribe of the October Arts and Culture event it dawned on me the irony of having someone who: 1) has zero artistic ability (I cannot even draw a stick figure) 2) has been told by his family not to even sing in the shower when no one is home.. and 3) has a one step dance move and that’s it! and 4) is in a profession as a CPA where one does not require creativity other than dealing with the IRS. But then I had an AHA moment (believe me, it surprised me too) which in simple terms makes me realize that although I do not excel in this area, I have a passion for the arts. The arts offer us all so much from plays at the Capitol Center for the Arts to music programs in Manchester and the Seacoast to my hidden favorite as the son of a native Italian mother, the Opera! (Which I have seen it is full glory live many times and now at the Capitol Center for the Arts in simulcast via their great projector and sound system of the Met Opera House). So now without further ado it is my pleasure to share my view of what we discussed and learned on our first class day.
What is the Seacoast Region?
Dr. Maryellen Burke, the Executive Director of Portsmouth Historical Society and Discover Portsmouth, began our day with a discussion of the layout of the Discover Portsmouth building and the art work we were able to view during our day. The history of Portsmouth and the seacoast started with the early settlers who came to this area to work in the fur, fish, and gold industry. There was also a belief that this was a trade route to China. An early explorer was Jonathan Speedwell who landed in New Hampshire 1623 on the Pied Cow. Strawberry Banke was founded in 1630. Early on this area was a water based economy and it was not founded on the religious ideas and considerations like the Massachusetts colony. Other discussion points included the substance abuse issues and the economic disparity in the seacoast that continue to this day. For example, the average income of residents in New Castle is $107,000 while the average income of residents in Farmington is $32,000. Currently, the local nonprofits work to help support the single working woman/parents in this community. The seacoast has a healthy relationship with the arts and culture with businesses as the Music Hall, which is the largest employer in the downtown area and an arts corridor is in a master plan.
New Hampshire: A Mosaic of Interests
Stephen Taylor, Former Commissioner of the NH Department of Agriculture gave our class an insightful and down-to-earth discussion on the provincialism of our state and how we are broken down in a town by town community state. We take great pride in delivering the message to others that we are from Plainfield or Lebanon; in contrast to delivering the global message of we are from “New Hampshire”. This filters into our public policy culture and this mosaic of interests is best (or worst) seen in the large body of our legislative branch of the State’s government structure. Statewide issues need to be sold town by town, we have historically been a small town community focus, but the important issues remain: can we change and create another way, and also we will need to have a constant infusion of leaders as selectman/woman and School Board and other local leaders. Commissioner Taylor also shared what is special about New Hampshire is its largely rural nature and the significant amount of forested property. A final point was made on the effect of technology in New Hampshire and the potential technology advancements to help to bring some of the more rural parts of the state together.
Our Changing State
Steve Norton, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies gave us a lead into our group activity by discussing the migration patterns of native New Hampshire residents as the single most important policy issue of the state. Currently New Hampshire is the 6th least native state in the country. Since 1980 there has been a significant increase in growth of 30 to 50 years old in New Hampshire. Some of the drivers of this growth include: favorable tax structure, geography and environment. Our in class assignment was to break out into four groups to discuss how the state is changing and the implications of such. The focus areas were aging, the economy, the environment and ethnicity. After the group discussions we responded with what groups thought. Our age population discussion then centered on the growth of age 55 retirement communities in our state and their impact on health care to the system. Are we becoming the Florida of the north? The facts pointed out by Steve Norton suggest that in fact we are not an old state- 3 highest in terms of baby boomers are in New Hampshire, the challenge he pointed out is to keep the young people involved and engaged in our state. New Hampshire and minorities’ group discussion talked through the impact of the recent refugee resettlements in New Hampshire and the challenges that the schools, hospitals and other state service organizations face on a daily basis. Everyone liked the idea of diversity, but which groups were likely to be attracted to the State was difficult to define, however, it was noted the state has attracted a gay population that is now being challenged by the legislative process through the repeal of gay marriage. Steve pointed out that in fact we are not like the rest of the country where the average population of Caucasians is 70% where as in New Hampshire the population is approximately 94%.
Where is New Hampshire
Professor David Watters, Professor of Humanities at UNH, shared his insights on where NH is by first defining place in three ways: names/boundaries, landscape/history and ways of knowing/humanities. The crisis for the Arts in New Hampshire, as Professor Watters discussed, centers in two areas: the crisis of the good neighbors- learn from the arts to address racial boundaries and recover history and the second crisis of the struggle between the individual and community. The reaction to the economics of the crisis is a sense of defensiveness in NH politics that NH Arts is not the responsibility of state government but private organizations such as nonprofits to foster. Professor Watters mentioned the creativity periods in history were hatched during the more difficult economic and political times that are again upon us
The Lay of the Land in the New Hampshire Cultural Landscape Panel Discussion
David White, Director of ARTVENTURES at the Crotched Mountain Foundation suggested that culture is not art but arts are a set of cultural practices. He further explained that the cultural infrastructure that has been created in New Hampshire is fragile. Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of the Music Hall and Loft, shared her thoughts on the consistent need for nonprofits in the arts and humanities industry to constantly innovate and re-invent. The discussion focused on collaboration within the arts community and with the business community. She wisely observed that folks in the arts must not “be afraid to fail” and must be flexible in order to capitalize on changing conditions. The panel all felt that the glass was half full for the arts in New Hampshire because of the proactive cultural and creative communities and networks being formed like financial partnerships with local business leaders. The mantra of “grow your vitality” by investing in your people was heard during this discussion. Measurements and outcomes through financial success is becoming an important tool to share with funders and the general donor pool. The Music Hall for example is as a major employer in the downtown of Portsmouth and it has developed the ability to measure the $6.3 million into the local community in related spending is a powerful statement.
Back (or Forward) to the Culture of the Future Panel Discussion
The final session of the day led to a spirited discussion led by Van McLeod the Commissioner of the NH Department of Cultural Resources who shared his varied experiences of the past and his thoughts on the future. The Panel in general reinforced a common theme throughout the day of the need to get involved in these organizations. Connie Rosemont the outgoing Executive Director of Red River Theatres challenged us to become “foot soldiers” and to advocate for these organizations and also to create/instill that commitment from the younger residents of New Hampshire.
During our debriefing at the end of the day, our classmates shared insightful thoughts on the arts organizations they learned about as part of our homework assignment. The comments were overwhelming positive and people were truly impressed by them. As someone who spends a majority of time in a narrow-focused profession, and as I noted to both classmate Craig Beck during the session and again last night to Steve Reno, I am humbled to be included in a group of incredibly insightful and thoughtful individuals. Finally a HUGE “thank you” to classmate Julie McConnell who provided me with excellent notes from her iPad. Thanks, Julie!
