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WE GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

WE GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

dailyUV-UV : Perry Allison
Friday, February 26, 2016

Short staffed, over-worked, and struggling to keep the doors open? This will sound familiar to anyone who has ever worked for an arts organization. No one ever said it was going to be easy to go into the Arts. In fact, most nonprofits, whoever they serve, work mightily to do their good work in the world. Whether they are supporting underserved populations, or providing essential health care to our neighbors or protecting animals from abuse and neglect; or if they are trying to bring the magic of the arts to our community, it is hard work. And it is way easier to work together than it is to work against each other.
Collaboration amongst arts organizations is especially critical. Many of our local arts organizations share the same patrons. Many of the folks in the Upper Valley who are attending events at Hopkins Center are also subscribers to Northern Stage or Opera North. They are the same folks who are attending gallery openings at AVA or special events at the Lebanon Opera House. They are the same folks who are likely to support the newest theatre company in town, the Gatherwool Theatre Company at the Briggs Opera House. What are the ways that these patrons could be better served? Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if all of the passion and dedication that lives within each of these organizations could be shared for the greater good?
One lesson that I have learned along the way in my work with nonprofits and specifically arts organizations is that there is strength in numbers. There is power in coming together with a shared purpose. That’s exactly what will be explored and promoted at an event coming up on March 5. The Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley is sponsoring an event titled, Beyond the Stage and Behind the Canvas: Cultivating the Arts in the Upper Valley. On March 5 from 10:00-2:00 representatives from area arts organizations will come together to discuss the challenges that they face. Walt Cunningham, who leads the Dartmouth Gospel Choir and is a passionate advocate for the Arts, will emcee a panel and there will be plenty of time for questions and conversation.
Do you want our community to have a vibrant cultural life? Do you believe that coming together makes us stronger than staying apart? Then join the discussion. Come on out and support all of the area Arts organizations. Our community will be better for it.