Who We Are

History

In 1973, Plymouth Friends of the Arts was only a seed in the imagination of John T. (Terry) Downs, Professor of Art at Plymouth State College and presently an Honorary Trustee of PFA. Believing there was a need for cultural collaboration between campus and community, Downs, along with interested community residents, formed the small support group known as Plymouth Friends of the Arts. This new group initiated receptions for gallery exhibits as well as music and theatre events. As the organization became more aware of the lack of opportunities for community involvement in the arts, it began to expand its programming. Bus trips to Boston, local artists in concert, a bi-monthly arts column in the local paper, local artists visiting area schools on a volunteer basis, and a calendar of arts events mailed to its members were developed. Another small community organization known as Plymouth Performing Arts had been established during this same time period to bring professional ensembles to the former Silver Hall. Many of its members were active with PFA as well. As a natural evolution, the two organizations merged in 1978 under the name of PFA and became a non-profit, tax exempt corporation. A new board of directors was established and the present Performing Arts Series was initiated bringing nationally renowned artists to Plymouth. Its operating budget was $4,000 and its membership numbered 78. As programming burgeoned, it became apparent that the administration of the organization had gone beyond the bounds of an all-volunteer board. In 1979, the decision was made to hire two part-time co-directors. A publicity position was added in 1983 and an administrative assistant in 1988.

From 1973 to 1993, PFA experienced steady expansion in programming, membership and budget and gradually evolved into a regional arts council. At its twentieth anniversary, PFA's operating budget had risen to $96,000 with 410 contributing memberships and 140 supporting businesses. In 1996 the organization officially changed its name to Friends of the Arts, A Regional Arts Council. By this time the organization had become established as the only arts council in Central New Hampshire serving a radius of 40 miles of Plymouth encompassing 30 small towns as far north as Littleton, east to Freedom, south to Tilton, and west to Danbury/Andover. Our operating budget had grown to $140,000 and we moved to a full-time Executive Director position.

The greatest development since 1980 has been in the area of children's programming. Art Encounters, FOA's in-school and bus-in performance program, brings 7-10 artists and performers from across the nation and within New Hampshire to approximately 30 schools every year. These artists not only perform for our students, but they also work directly with them, providing our students the opportunity to experience art first hand in an educational situation. Our Annual High School Juried Arts Exhibit involves over 20 high schools from Central and Northern New Hampshire. The Friends of the Arts Youth Choir has both a junior and senior level, and it draws participants from more than 10 local towns. FOA organizes the Saturday Studio Series, as well as fine arts classes for children, and our Friends of the Arts Days in rural communities and at Plymouth State College.

Currently, FOA receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, The New Hampshire Humanities Council, the New England Foundation for the Arts, the Bell Atlantic Foundation, the Bryne Foundation, Franklin Savings Bank Foundation, the Meredith Village Savings Bank Foundation, State Street Global Advisors Foundation, the Waldo Ayer Trust Fund, the Penny Pitou & Milo Pike Charitable Foundation, the Lakes Region Charitable Foundation and The Corporate Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation.

Friends of the Arts is an active member of the Arts Presenter of Northern New England. We are also members of the Plymouth Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Waterville Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Main Street Program of Plymouth, the NH Dance Alliance, the NH Alliance for Arts Education, and the Arts Alliance of Northern NH.

OUR LOYAL SUPPORTER - PSU.

We at Friends of the Arts are so deeply appreciative of Plymouth State University. As our founding sponsor and supporter many years ago, they have showed their continuous and steadfast support throughout Friends of the Arts 34 years. The effects of there generosity are immeasurable and invaluable to Friends of the Arts. The smiles of the children participating in FOA’s art programs and the positive effects art has on our community are perhaps the most sincere indicators of all PSU has done and continues to do to support FOA.

FOA & PSU History

Our Loyal Supporter – Plymouth State University (formerly Plymouth State College)
No history of the organization would be complete without mentioning the Friends' symbiotic relationship with Plymouth State University. The use of college facilities for art classes, theatre and music rehearsals, office space, and gallery and performance space has been generously donated over the years. With this immeasurable support, FOA has become a viable and respected regional arts council within the state. Since its inception, the goals for Friends of the Arts include a commitment to provide opportunities that link the college to the community through the arts. As a result, a substantial portion of our programming stems from partnerships with the Music & Theatre, Dance, Fine Art, and Education Departments of the college. Each year these programs benefit approximately 15,000 children and adults.

In 1987, Friends of the Arts was invited to be a member of the steering committee for a new cultural arts center at Plymouth State University. The committee began a process to formally access the needs and benefits for the college, the community, and the region. The results of this investigation became the Case Statement for the new facility we have today. The group gathered the following list of the most important intents and needs for the new facility.

Excerpt from Minutes of Steering Committee Meeting September 30, 1987

1. The college needs a structure that is a symbol of Plymouth State College’s real and active role as a significant cultural center for the region.
2. There is a pressing need, documented by a significantly growing population and increased demand, for an up-to-date, top-quality performance/gallery/educational facilities for the region as well as for the college. Increased quality of education, performance, and exhibitions would be the primary results of having such a facility.
3. As a center, these facilities would provide a needed, welcoming cultural focus for the college, community and region.
4. A center that combines all the arts together will generate greater educational and creative energy than one that does not include all.
5. The college needs a significant architectural structure that makes a statement about the college’s overall role as a focus point of the educational leadership in the arts and humanities in the region.

In November 1989, the Friends of the Arts Board voted to contribute $1500 to the new cultural arts center to be paid over 3 years. This was a substantial investment for the organization since the annual budget was only $60,000.

In 1995 the college began the campaign to renovate the Draper & Maynard building for a new gallery and to house the Art Department. The PSC Office of Advancement made a presentation to the FOA board of trustees asking for support of the project. The Board voted to unanimously support the project by making personal donations rather than use the organization’s membership dollars for the cause. In 1996, the Board was approached again to help support the completion phase of the project and at the March 1996 board meeting allocated a contribution to the campaign.