Often viewed as separate entities, the arts and business communities share much in common, a perspective that informs the 39th Annual Arts Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown.
“We create opportunities for these communities to interact in new and unexpected ways through shared experiences that help develop a common language,” said Tricia Soule, executive director of the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts (NHBCA), which presents the Gala. “Arts and cultural organizations need to operate like businesses, and businesses can benefit from the creative thinking processes that characterize arts and culture…These two communities can learn and benefit from one another.”
According to Joan Brodsky, founder of New Hampshire Dance Collaborative (NHDC), which sponsors the premier performance at this year’ Gala, Soule’s vision is critical for New Hampshire. “I love her ability to embrace creative ways of thinking and move beyond the narrow confines and walls of traditional business,” she said.
“Business as usual,” according to Soule, is no longer—nor has it ever been—sustainable. “The arts can help business, because they shed light on what it means to be human,” she said.
As for how the two organizations initially began to work with one another, Brodsky said Soule saw ArtFront, an immersive art show of which she was one of several organizers. “Tricia saw the dance element that I used to amplify the sculpture in the show and was blown away,” she said. “She called me to see if I could add dance to the Gala event.”
Noting Soule secured the musicians and she found the dancers, Brodsky said their concept for the 2019 Gala “energized the room.” “We had actors and dancers seated with the guests,” she said. “They were all having wonderful conversations, but the guests were unaware that many of the people at their tables were part of a scheduled performance.”
This performance began when actors from theatre KAPOW rose from their seats at the tables and started to recite lines about the power of the arts to the dancers, who were also seated. “These lines inspired the dance artists to begin to move and then the band began to respond,” said Brodsky, who said NHDC has been involved in the Gala ever since. “NHDC believes that dance can illuminate elements of what it means to be human far more powerfully than words.”
As for the purpose behind the Annual Arts Awards Gala, Soule said it honors businesses, individual artists, and arts cultural organizations for positively impacting communities around the Granite State. This year’s theme is built around the idea that business and art deliver the unexpected.
In addition to featuring the creation of improvisational paintings by Lebanon-based Roger Goldenberg alongside live music and dance movement, the event will include a networking reception and seated meal followed by an awards ceremony and full dance performance.
“We are thrilled to work with some of the state’s most talented artists and prestigious arts organizations, including the NHDC, Ballet Misha, Concord Community Music School, and the League of NH Craftsmen,” said Soule.
Brodsky added, “It will be an evening of spontaneous and organic creativity that will literally move everyone in attendance.”
To learn more about NHBCA, or purchase tickets, visit nhbca.com.