2021 Governor's Arts Awards

Silver Lining Resilience Awards

Award Recipients by Council District:

District 1
The Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) was founded 25 years ago, powered by rural women committed to the mission of supporting better lives and livelihoods, enhancing Bethlehem’s Main Street and practicing innovation in rural economic development. WREN’s work has impacted thousands of people across the North Country by providing technical assistance and market access for entrepreneurs and artists and educational, cultural and social events for the community. The Gallery at WREN and The Local Works Marketplace at WREN support the livelihoods of local artists while also increasing the vitality of downtown Bethlehem.

District 2
New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI) of Keene is a nonprofit arts education organization founded in 1986 that introduces children in kindergarten through eighth grade to the joy of choreographed dance. NHDI’s teaching artists are experienced educators who lead high-energy classes that instill confidence, pride and teamwork. Working with approximately 3,000 children annually, NHDI introduces and develops movement in children at an accessible, introductory level. Through NHDI programs, students acquire a love of the arts, a passion for learning and creativity, and a desire to strive for their personal best in all that they do.

District 3
Seacoast Repertory Theatre is a non-profit, professional regional theatre located in historic downtown Portsmouth, working toward making the Seacoast better through the shared experience of live theatre. The Mainstage presents year-round, Broadway-quality entertainment from classics to new works, performed by the finest professional actors from New England, Broadway and beyond. Each year, The Rep trains diverse performers of all ages with classes, workshops, and camps designed to nurture talent and cultivate confidence. The Rep is always on the lookout for new plays to keep audiences challenged and delighted.

District 4
theatre KAPOW of Manchester explores the truths of human experience through the passion and electricity of live theatre performed to the highest standards of excellence. theatre KAPOW produces the best dramatic works from across ages and cultures to inspire and challenge both artists and audience. In their monthly open trainings, play reading series, and numerous collaborations with arts and civic organizations spanning disciplines, theatre KAPOW provides thoughtfully curated experiences for a wide variety of New Hampshire audiences.

District 5
Andy’s Summer Playhouse is an innovative summer youth theater located in Wilton. Every summer Andy’s produces original works that are performed by local artists aged eight to eighteen, with direction and mentoring by professional artists from New Hampshire and beyond. Andy’s exists to provide a safe environment for children to experience and learn about all aspects of the performing arts, with the goal of creating innovative theater for the community. Andy’s emphasizes education and community building, encouraging all participants to explore their own creativity.

Watch the WMUR New Hampshire Chronicle video on the Silver Lining Award Recipients here

Silver Lining Resilience Awards:
Five awards in this category, one for each Executive Council district. Recognizes an individual or New Hampshire nonprofit or for-profit organization, school district, collaborative/ partnership effort or municipality that has created, developed, implemented or supported innovative solutions for the arts, in a broad sense, during the COVID-19 pandemic. These may include, but are not limited to, development of streaming programs and/or fundraising efforts, creating opportunities for individual artists, development of new partnerships, creation of new revenue streams or funding sources. Program or innovation should be either a completely new endeavor or partnership or an innovation to an existing program or partnership. Nominations should be able to show or describe some sort of measurable impact for individual artist(s), organization(s) or community.

Last updated: January 17, 2023