NHBCA Board Chairman and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental Thomas Raffio (left) and Derek Lucci, founder of Open Sky in Amherst, who won the 2023 Bayberry Financial Services Artrepreneur Award. Courtesy photo by Joseph Andruskevich

MANCHESTER — Guests can expect the unexpected as they walk the purple carpet at the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts signature event on May 6.

As the only statewide event recognizing business partnerships and engagement in the arts, the 40th annual Arts Awards Gala honors businesses, artists and cultural organizations who had a positive impact on communities across the Granite State. The event will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St. in Manchester from 5 to 8 p.m.

“Every year we put other arts organizations and individual artists at the forefront of our biggest

event highlights art within our community,” said Tricia Soule, NHBCA executive director. “This year we are thrilled to be featuring Positive Street Art from Nashua along with several other creative partners, including Membit, the developers of our augmented reality application. This event is unlike any other and celebrates all forms of art.”

This year’s theme, Purple Reign, is built around the year of the organization’s founding – 1984 – and its signature color purple. Taking a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of Hip Hop and street art, the event includes the opportunity to walk the purple carpet and have photos taken with augmented reality artwork and balloon sculptures. In addition, performances will further pay tribute to the Hip Hop era with elements of breakdancing at center stage.

Throughout the year, the NHBCA collaborates with partners in the business and arts communities to develop and promote projects and programs that enhance the public’s engagement with the arts. In addition to celebrating the award winners, the annual Arts Awards Gala demonstrates the power of collaboration by bringing together a multitude of highly creative individuals to produce an immersive art experience that inspires guests and showcases some of the talented artists that call the Granite State home.

There are 25 award nominees in three distinct categories, including the longstanding Business in the Arts Awards given to businesses of all shapes and sizes as well as the Bayberry Financial Services Artrepreneur Award and the Northeast Delta Dental Artsbuild Community Award. Nominees include financial institutions, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, video production, performing arts venues, visual arts organizations, culinary and visual artists, among others. This year’s award winners will be presented with an original painting by Concord-based artist Pamela Tarbell.

Sponsors of the 40th Annual Arts Awards include Presenting Sponsors – NH Business Review and NH Magazine; Premier Performance Sponsor – MFI Productions; Artrepreneur Award Sponsor – Bayberry Financial Services; Artsbuild Community Award Sponsor – Northeast Delta Dental; Awards Patron Sponsor – M&T Bank; Purple Passion Sponsor – The Elliott; Purple Reign Sponsor – Manchester Distillery; Artful Raffle Sponsor – Dartmouth Health; Platinum Sponsors – CGI Business Solutions, Cookson Communications, Fidelity Investments, Fiduciary Trust of New England, Harvey Construction, Ledyard National Bank, McLane Middleton and TD Bank; Artist Host Sponsors – Baker Newman Noyes, Bank of America, Catholic Medical Center, Devine Millimet, Flag Hill Winery, Hitchiner Manufacturing, Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Orr & Reno, Polaris Direct, Stibler Associates and TF Moran.

Tickets are available online at https://www.nhbca.com/gala-tickets. Registration closes April 22.

The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts educates, motivates and recognizes business support of and participation in the arts.

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