Login

2004 Business in the Arts Awards Winners

May 14, 2004

Citizens Bank, Ocean National Bank, Nixon Peabody LLC and Ciborowski Associates were announced as the winners of the 2004 Business in the Arts Awards at a gala evening presentation on May 13 in Manchester.

The winners were applauded for their outstanding support to the arts through their sponsorships, staff involvement, project assistance and donated services to the arts throughout the state.

Citizens Bank was noted for its statewide and broad support of the arts and specifically its work with the Palace Theatre and Strawbery Banke; Ocean National Bank for all its contributions to many different arts organizations and its embracing of the Creative Economy Initiative; Nixon Peabody LLC for its community involvement and work with the Manchester Community Music School; and Ciborowski Associates for its work with the Capitol Center for the Arts.

Alice L. DeSouza was named as the recipient of the Business in the Arts Leadership Award. DeSouza was cited for leading and involving people from all areas of the community to create and implement a cultural plan for Manchester. The resulting effort, Art Builds Community!, is a vital element today in Manchester. DeSouza was also noted for her history of contributions to many other organizations in the state including the New Hampshire Institute of Art, League of NH Craftsmen, and the NH Preservation Alliance.

The crowd of more than 350 business and arts leaders who celebrated the 20th Annual Business in the Arts Awards included Governor John H. Sununu who is credited with founding the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts twenty years ago along with New England Telephone then president Don Reed. Sununu congratulated the NHBCA and was presented with an appreciation gift bag containing art from the evening’s performers. Many of the Award winners from previous years were also in attendance. A group photograph of all the winners and their arts friends was taken in celebration of the 20 th year milestone.

John Clayton, columnist for The Union Leader, was theMaster of Ceremonies for the festivities. Heading the lineup of featured performers was Tommy Makem, a New Hampshire resident and internationally acclaimed musician, accompanied by his son, Rory Makem. Also performing were Shakespearian troupe Advice to the Players, New Hampshire poet laureate Cynthia Huntington, and accordionist Gary Sredszienski.

Each winner received a prize of a framed watercolor by Warner artist Becky Darling. The table centerpiece displays were loaned by Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene. Peterboro Basket Company provided the baskets that held the ArtsBag Giveaway – cultural goodies of tickets, tee shirts, posters and books - that were awarded through a quiz show format hosted by Van McLeod, commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Cultural Resources. The ArtsBags highlighted the corporate sponsors and the presentation culminated with two tickets from Southwest Airlines.

The Business in the Arts Awards Corporate Sponsors were BAE SYSTEMS; Bank of New Hampshire; Chicago-Soft Ltd; Citizens Bank; Ernst & Young; Jefferson Pilot Financial; Markem Corporation; Northeast Delta Dental; Ocean National Bank; Public Service of New Hampshire; RMC Research Corporation; and Verizon.

The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts presents the awards annually to recognize and honor outstanding support of the arts. The NHBCA was founded to educate, motivate and recognize business support of and participation in the arts. For more information about the Awards or the NHBCA contact the NHBCA at 603 224-8300 or visit the website at www.nhbca.com .         # # #