Business in the Arts Award Winners Announced

Lincoln Financial Group of Concord, Lake Sunapee Bank of Lake Sunapee, Orr & Reno of Concord and Dancing Lion Chocolate of Manchester were announced as winners of the Business in the Arts Awards. Also, Arthur Sullivan of Brady Sullivan in Manchester was named the Leadership winner at a gala evening presentation hosted by the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts on May 11 in Manchester. Approximately 325 business and arts leaders attended the 31st annual celebration.  

The winners were applauded for their outstanding support of the arts through donations of time, money and resources to the arts in their communities and statewide.

Lincoln Financial Group was lauded for its willingness to make multi-year sponsorship commitments and to increasing access to the arts for all ages, economic situations, abilities and ethnicities through support of organizations such as the NH Music Festival, Pontine Theatre and Concord Community Music School. Lake Sunapee Bank was cited for its wide support of many organizations including Center for the Arts and League of NH Craftsmen, employee involvement on boards such as Symphony NH and Monadnock Music and demonstrating belief in the value of investment in the creative economy. Orr & Reno received accolades for its volunteerism and sponsorships at Capitol Center for the Arts, Red River Theatres and Kimball-Jenkins School of Art and for hosting a large studio in their offices for artist-in-residence Melissa Miller. Dancing Lion Chocolate of Manchester was recognized for sourcing from local artists and its “Life As Art” program. 

Arthur Sullivan of Manchester was named as the Leadership Award recipient for his longstanding record of philanthropic distinction and collecting art. He continues to introduce and cultivate numerous regional businesses as well as engage community, civic, corporate and government leaders on behalf of the New Hampshire Institute of Art.

Each winner received a framed watercolor by New Hampshire artist Catherine Tuttle. The Sharon Art Center loaned the table centerpieces. The ArtsBaskets Cultural Trivia Show highlighted the evening’s sponsors and contained cultural goodies including tickets, travel cups, CD’s and books contributed by New Hampshire’s many cultural organizations. The grand prize was donated by the Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. 

Brady Carlson, New Hampshire Public Radio host, was the master of ceremonies for the festivities. The evening’s performance showcase on stage featured the scholarship vocal ensemble of the Concord Community Music School, three of the Poetry Out Loud semi-finalists and Positive Street Art Dance. Providing fun in the lobby before and at the conclusion of the event was a student violin duo from the Portsmouth Music and Art Center, painting demonstrations by students from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, a pottery demonstration by Studio 550, and a visual presentation by AVA Gallery.  

The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts presents the awards annually to recognize and honor outstanding business support of the arts. The NHBCA was founded to educate, motivate and recognize business support of and participation in the arts. For more information about the awards or the NHBCA contact the NHBCA at 603 224-8300 or visit www.nhbca.com.