2011 Governors Arts Awards

Individual Arts Patron
Award Recipient: M. Christine Dwyer, Portsmouth

Chris Dwyer is widely known and respected for her personal and professional commitment to the arts and for her patronage.  She puts into practice her belief in the important intersection between art, culture, community and economics.  The role of the arts, culture and historic preservation, combined with the power of collaboration across sectors are consistently part of Chris’ message and actions. Her work as a Portsmouth City Councilor, founding board member of the Portsmouth Music Hall, former chair of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, trustee of the Currier Museum of Art, board member of the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts and the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits have all made these organizations stronger and more relevant. 

As co-owner of RMC Research, she has led numerous research and evaluation productions on education, arts and social issues. She is a generous philanthropist, helping to support arts organizations and NH artists. Christine Dwyer has had a major impact on the cultural life of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and New England.  As a member of the President’s Commission on Arts and Culture, she is now making a significant impact in national policy on arts and education.

As her nominator Susan Strickler noted, “All … facets of her busy, productive life blend together seamlessly, without distinction between personal and professional life and community service…. Chris does not do this work for recognition. She does it out of belief, commitment and passion for the arts.”