Login

BUSINESS IN THE ARTS AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

May 10, 2006

Bank of America, Laconia Savings Bank, Church & Main, and Supreme Audio were announced as the winners of the 2006 Business in the Arts Awards at a gala evening presentation on May 9 in Manchester. Peter Bloomfield was named as the recipient of the Leadership Award.

The winners received accolades for their outstanding support of the arts by sponsorships, staff involvement, project assistance and donated services to the arts throughout the state.

Bank of America was applauded for its continued statewide support of many large cultural institutions such as The Music Hall in Portsmouth, Currier Gallery of Art and Strawbery Banke as well more grassroots efforts like The Acting Loft and music programs serving underprivileged and immigrant populations. Laconia Savings Bank was highlighted specifically for its primary support of the NH Music Festival as well as the Granite State Opera, Papermill Theatre, and Prescott Park Arts Festival. Church & Main was trumpeted for its widespread support of arts in the Monadnock region such as The Moving Company Dance Center and Center Stage as well as encouraging the majority of their employees to volunteer for the arts. Supreme Audio was noted for financial contributions as well as product donation to groups like the NH Dance Institute and the Colonial Theatre in Keene.

Peter Bloomfield, President of Concord Steam Corporation, was spotlighted for his extensive leadership by example with his long-term support of the Capitol Center for the Arts, the Concord Community Music School and the NH Symphony. Through his involvement with the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, he persuades his business colleagues that the arts improve quality of life, and stimulate economic growth. Bloomfield was also noted for his support to the Capitol Center for the Arts during the critical period following the loss of executive director M.T. Mennino in November.

Laura Knoy, host of "The Exchange" on NH Public Radio was the Master of Ceremonies for the festivities. The showcase of performers highlighting excellence in the arts were a string trio from the Concord Community Music School; a reading by NH Poet Laureate Patricia Fargnoli; jazz vocals by Peggo Horstmann Hodes with keyboardist Kent Allyn; and excerpts from the upcoming Palace Theatre Professional Production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".

Each winner received a framed clay tile by potter Maureen Mills of Portsmouth. NH Made provided the table centerpiece displays of its members products. The Artsbags highlighted the evening's sponsors and contained cultural goodies of tickets, tee shirts, posters and books contributed by the New Hampshire's many cultural organizations and were awarded through a cultural quiz show hosted by Van McLeod, the State's commissioner of the Department of Cultural Resources and Maryann Mzroczka, producer of WMUR's "Chronicle". The grand prize winner received a voucher for two nights at Church Landing at the Inns and Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith NH and dinner at the on site Lakehouse Grille, a Common Man Restaurant, compliments of those two nominated companies.

The Business in the Arts Awards Corporate Sponsors were Bank of America; Citizens Bank; Lincoln Financial Group; MARKEM Corporation; Northeast Delta Dental; Ocean National Bank; Public Service of New Hampshire; TD Banknorth; and Verizon.

Event Supporters were Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, BAE Systems, Ernst & Young, McLane Law Firm, and RMC Research Corporation.

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.