Testimony on HB 1320: Establishing a Study Committee for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts I oppose HB 1320, as its underpinnings suggest a reactive approach rather than a proactive solution to the pressing funding needs of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. While studying past and present funding sources is valuable, this bill does not offer a concrete pathway to secure the necessary financial support for the arts in our communities. Instead, it risks deferring urgent action by focusing on analysis rather than implementing tangible funding solutions that can directly benefit artists and cultural programs. Moreover, the lack of oversight and actionable outcomes in this bill raises significant concerns. Establishing a study committee with limited membership and compensation may lead to a superficial examination of funding sources without the necessary inclusivity that reflects the diverse voices within our arts community. Without a more comprehensive approach that includes artists, cultural leaders, and community representatives, this study risks missing critical insights that could inform meaningful funding strategies. Additionally, any study on the arts must incorporate an inclusive intersectional framework. The arts are a vital means of expression for marginalized communities, and their voices should be prioritized in this analysis. Failing to include diverse perspectives not only undermines the potential findings of this study but also perpetuates existing disparities in arts funding. We should focus on direct investments and actionable policies that empower all communities to thrive artistically, rather than prolonging the conversation without commitment or resources to address the immediate challenges faced by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.
HB1320
House · 2026 sessionBipartisanDied in HouseStudy of arts council funding
AIEstablishes a committee to study past, present, and future funding sources for the New Hampshire state council on the arts.
establishing a study committee to analyze past, present, and potential funding sources for the New Hampshire state council on the arts.
Status
Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · March 4, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
59 submissionsMy tax dollars go to so many things that I actively oppose and do not support. Art is incredibly important to me and support of the arts is part of what grows a healthy, functional society. The most prosperous times in history are times when art was supported and patronized. Art improves the quality of life for all of us. I support anything that we can do to reconnect with our relationship to art and funding it.
The White Mountains Attractions Association is a destination marketing organization representing over 300 tourism businesses and communities across the White Mountains region, one of the state’s most important tourism and economic drivers. We appreciate the intent behind this bill and strongly support it as a constructive step that will strengthen New Hampshire’s tourism economy and support the small businesses and communities that rely on it.
I encourage the establishment of a committee to analyze funding sources for the NH State Council on the Arts. NH arts organizations rely on funding from the Council, and it benefits state residents and visitors to fund the Council again.
I am a co-sponsor of HB 1320, which establishes a focused study committee to review past, present, and potential future funding sources for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Arts and culture are not abstract concepts in New Hampshire. They are a real driver of visitation and economic activity. Festivals, galleries, performances, historic sites, and public art contribute directly to why people choose to visit our communities, stay overnight, dine locally, and return in future seasons. Cultural offerings complement our natural assets and help extend tourism beyond peak summer and foliage months, particularly in downtowns and rural communities. At the same time, the state has a responsibility to be thoughtful and disciplined about how public dollars are used. HB 1320 does not assume that more funding is the answer, nor does it lock the state into any specific approach. Instead, it creates a process to evaluate how arts-related funding has historically supported tourism and community vitality, how it functions today, and what options—public, private, or blended—may be appropriate in the future. This bill recognizes that a strong cultural identity helps differentiate New Hampshire as a destination. Visitors are not only drawn to scenery, but to places that feel alive, creative, and distinct. Understanding how arts funding intersects with tourism, economic development, and community life is essential before policymakers make long-term decisions. The study committee is small, temporary, and low-cost, with a clear reporting deadline. Its purpose is due diligence: gathering facts so future policy choices are informed, measured, and grounded in real outcomes. HB 1320 is about understanding value, not presuming it. It gives legislators and the public the information needed to make responsible decisions about how the arts contribute to New Hampshire’s economy and cultural character. I respectfully ask the committee to support the bill.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.
Position recorded without written comment.