State Art Collections

The State of New Hampshire has been acquiring artwork since 1819 when it commissioned the eagle for the top of the State House dome. Many historic portraits and other paintings fill the halls of the State House. Since 1965, the acquisition of new artworks that represent the variety and richness of New Hampshire arts, not just historical subjects, has become one of the functions of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. The artworks are organized into several collections:

Percent for Art Collection

The artworks in this collection are site specific to the buildings that generated the funds for their commission or purchase. A catalogue of these works was published in 1989 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program.

Since then, there have been a number of new projects, including artworks designed for the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, numerous County Courthouses, and the Glencliff Home for the Elderly.

NH State Veterans’ Home, Tilton: On Top of Mt. Kearsarge, East View by Sheldon Cassady	NH Technical Institute, Concord: Feathers, Installation by Joseph DeRobertis

Arts Bank Collection

This collection was established in the 1980s. Artworks in this collection are available for state buildings on a rotating basis.

Living Treasure Collection

The Living Treasures collection, begun in the 1990s, includes works by artists who have received Living Treasures Governor’s Arts Awards. Their artworks are exhibited in the public spaces at the Office of the Attorney General and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. All acquisitions are made possible by private funding or donations from the artists.

In memory: Karl Drerup, John Woodsum Hatch, Robert Hughes, Lotte Jacobi, Herbert Ogden Waters

Photographs by Lotte Jacobi, wood engravings by Herbert Waters, a pen and ink drawing by John Hatch, and original illustrations by Tomie dePaola hang in the Arts Council's conference room.

Lifetime Fellows Collection

This collection, established in 2005, will include works by visual artists who have received multiple fellowships over time. The designation of Lifetime Fellows was established in 2004. Funding for these artworks comes from the State Art Fund, also known as the Percent for Art program. The artworks in this collection will be available for exhibiting in state buildings that are not eligible to generate money for site specific artwork.

Studio visits with Lifetime Fellows Carol Aronson Shore (left) and James Aponovich (right).

Last updated: February 29, 2008