Arts in Crisis! The NH House Finance Committee last week slashed the State Arts Council’s grants budget by $428,000, and eliminated funding for the NH Film Office. These cuts were part of a larger Budget Amendment bill seeking to balance the State’s budget in reaction to declining revenues, but will leave the Arts Council with a budget of less than $50,000 and eliminate almost all staff and programs. With previous reductions it puts at risk matching funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and will result in an overall reduction of more than $1,080,000. Contact your representatives now to express your disappointment about the cuts to the NH Arts Council through HB 1664. You can find your House Representative, with contact information, by going to www.gencourt.state.nh.us and clicking on Find Your Representatives. The most effective contacts are personal: phone calls, meetings, and original letters or postcards. Avoid form letters or emails. Your message could include a comment on the importance of the arts for positive economic development, job creation and healthy and vibrant communities. The arts are one of the most effective engines of economic recovery. Briefly tell your own story about how the Arts Council has helped you, your business and your community. As the budget process moves to the Senate, the NH Citizens for the Arts will broadcast alerts and provide talking points for conversations with your Senator. Go to www.nhcfa.org for the most current information.

Commissioner’s Roundtable on Cultural & Heritage Tourism: Join Van McLeod, Commissioner of the NH Department of Cultural Resources, and Cultural & Heritage Tourism professionals on April 6 to discuss: “Reach out! How Partners Can Help You Achieve Your Goals.” The free Roundtable is from noon-2pm at the Historic Belknap Mill in Laconia. RSVP to: Shelly Angers at shelly.angers@dcr.nh.gov.

Governor's Conference on Tourism is May 5-7: The theme for this year's Conference is ”Think Like a Visitor, Act Like a Host” and includes keynote lectures by national experts, informational programs presented by regional leaders and roundtable sessions where businesses can share successes and trials. There is also a selection of workshops where attendees learn specific skills that they can apply immediately to their operations and marketing, and teach to co-workers.The conference will be held at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel. For more information and to register, go to www.nhtravelcouncil.com and click on the Conference tab.