“Art is not only about what an artist creates,” said Sarah L. Stewart, N.H. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Commissioner. “It’s also about how that art changes the lives of those who experience it.”

This October, experience local art during Choose Indie Art Month hosted by the American Independent Business Alliance. Let’s celebrate all types of Monadnock Region artists: crafters, painters, musicians, actors, writers, and others. Also, let’s boast about artists' positive impacts on you, our community, and our local economy. 

Four Ways to Celebrate

Choose Indie Art/Choose Indie Markets: Seek out opportunities to purchase art and creative works from Monadnock Region artists.  Here’s one option coming up soon: The fifty-first annual Cheshire Craftsmen Fair on October 5 and October 6 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Keene Recreation Center.  Find unique holiday gifts, including home decor, quilted items, jewelry, soaps, woven items, pottery, fleece, felted crafts, and more. Discover more local art at shop.tlcmonadnock.com/product-category/arts and monadnockartsalive.org/dma.

“There’s perhaps nothing more personal than a gift of the arts,” said Cynthia Freese, Artists Sunday Director. “Give something special, unique, and handcrafted this holiday season and support local artists and the local economy.”

Attend an art event or tour:  Here are two fantastic chances to meet local artists and see where they work.  The Monadnock Art Tour and Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour.  Both tours happen the weekend of October 12 – 14. 

Love films?  Be sure to attend the twelfth annual Monadnock International Film Festival October 4 – 6 in-person in Keene and October 8 -17 online.  See the full schedule. 

Take a walk around downtown Keene’s public art murals painted in 2019 by The Walldogs, a group of over 200 sign and mural artists from around the world. If you prefer a guided tour, register with the Historical Society of Cheshire County (tickets are $10 per person).

Whether film, theatre, music, or visual arts events, discover them all at discovermonadnock.com/events.

Take a class: Get your creative juices flowing by signing up for an art class or two. Check out all the offerings happening at MAXT Makerspace in Peterborough. 

Jaffrey Civic Center will offer a “Paint Your First Oil Painting” series starting October 3.  Learn more. 

From dance classes to theatre coaching, find more educational opportunities.

Show off art: Share your creative spirit with your friends, family, and coworkers. Ask others to show you their art. Give a social media shoutout to the local artists who inspire you.  Tag your posts with #chooseindieart so we can share them with others.

Four Reasons to Celebrate

The arts mean business: In 2021, the art sector made up 4.3 percent of the US economy -- greater than construction, transportation, or agriculture industries -- and included 4.9 million workers.  The arts also mean revenue for other local businesses, as each arts event attendee spends an additional $31.47 at neighboring stores, restaurants, and hotels.

Art boosts our well-being: A national opinion poll from the Americans for the Arts found that 69 percent of us believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” and 81 percent shared that the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world.”  Recognizing the healing power of art, about half of US hospitals offer arts programming.

Art brings us together: 72 percent of Americans believe “the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity,” and 73 percent agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better.”

Art inspires creativity:  A Journal of Business Research study found that displaying art in the workplace boosted employees’ creative thinking.

“The arts are the lifeblood of our communities, raising morale, creating community cohesion, and providing comfort during dark times while also delivering a huge economic footprint,” said Nolen V. Bivens, former president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “And it is more important than ever that everyone take part to recognize the creative and cultural value of the arts and humanities in our communities.”

Stay tuned for more Choose Indie Arts news, events, and inspiration 

Choose Indie Art is part of a larger Choose Indie Local year-round movement.  Together, we inspire our communities to take positive action and boost the ripple effects our neighborhoods, towns, and cities receive when we spend and invest more of our dollars at locally owned, independent businesses.