The City of Dover has had an active Arts Commission since 2009. The Commission was formed to advise the City Council and City Manager on public art and to support the arts city-wide. The Commission has firmly advocated for paying artists for their work, including diverse groups in all projects, and creating discussion from public art.
In the last three years, the Commission has completed more projects, installations, and initiatives than the prior years combined. In 2018, the Commission established the City Arts Grants program, with the first grant awarded in 2019. Since then, four grants totaling more than $5,000 have been awarded to local artists on projects that contribute to the greater community. Also in 2019, the Commission supported an installation that brought together a local artist and the Dover Teen Center to create and encourage discussion of the world and the community’s diversity. The Commission has also been actively working on supporting city initiatives such as making the new high school auditorium a community performing arts resource and contributing to the Master Plan research for the arts.
The Arts Commission also serves as a facilitator and bridges connections between groups in the city and across the State. In 2019, when the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts needed a last-minute location for their arts education conference, they reached out to the Commission, which connected the Council with local venues and facilitators. The Commission also frequently works with Dover Chamber of Commerce, helping to advocate and forge partnerships for local artists. In 2021, the pilot “Art Beat” program will launch to help get more local artwork for sale into businesses.
Also in 2019, the Commission supported an installation that brought together a local artist and the Dover Teen Center to create and encourage discussion of the world and the community’s diversity. The Commission has also been actively working on supporting city initiatives such as making the new high school auditorium a community performing arts resource and contributing to the Master Plan research for the arts.