Upper Valley Music Center Joins Relaunched Upper Valley Arts Alliance

Arts institutions around the Upper Valley, including Upper Valley Music Center in Lebanon, NH, have joined the Upper Valley Business Alliance (UVBA) to relaunch the Upper Valley Arts Alliance (UVAA).

UVAA was formed in 2004 to serve as an umbrella organization for arts and arts education organizations to network and form collaborations. In 2021, UVAA became a program of the Upper Valley Business Alliance.

“UVAA has been the driving force behind fostering a creative economy in the Upper Valley,” says Tracy Hutchins, president of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. “We have numerous arts, theater, and music organizations that provide jobs, attract tourists, and create strong cultural enrichment for our residents. UVBA is thrilled to partner and support the UVAA’s continuing efforts by giving them operational support.”

The reimagined venture kicks off with a Fall Into the Arts initiative which features free and low-cost programming across the Upper Valley in September and October. Events will be held in accessible venues to ensure barrier-free participation for all. A full listing of events, as well as discount offers, can be found at uvarts.org

“The spirit of collaboration between Upper Valley arts organizations of all kinds has helped more people have access to arts in their lives,” said Ben Van Vliet, Executive Director of the Upper Valley Music Center. “Upper Valley Music Center is proud to participate in UVAA and partner with like-minded organizations to offer more community programs, collaborative events, and educational initiatives to Upper Valley residents.”

The Upper Valley Arts Alliance is a collaboration of more than 20 organizations, including Anonymous Coffee House, Artistree Community Arts Center, AVA Gallery & Art Center, Chandler Center for the Arts, Hanover Parks and Rec, Hood Museum of Art, Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth, Junction Arts and Media, Lebanon Recreation Arts and Parks, Lebanon Opera House, Main Street Museum, New England School of the Arts, North Country Community Theatre, Northern Stage, Revels North, Sawtooth Kitchen, Shaker Bridge Theatre, Roots & Wings, and Upper Valley Music Center, to name a few.