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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Nova Arts has been awarded a $20,000 Music in Action grant from the nonprofit Live Music Society, funding a year-long effort to expand awareness of its programming and increase community engagement across the Monadnock Region.
The Keene-based arts organization announced Wednesday that the grant will support a new initiative called Awareness for All, scheduled to run from August 2026 through July 2027. The project is designed to help the nonprofit reach new audiences while highlighting its commitment to making arts and cultural experiences accessible to everyone.
Located at 48 Emerald St., home of Brewbakers Cafe, Nova Arts has become a hub for emerging artists, experimental performances, community gatherings and creative collaborations. The venue is perhaps best known for hosting events such as The Thing in the Spring festival and for its ongoing efforts to remove barriers that can prevent people from participating in the arts.
Grant funding will be used to strengthen outreach efforts through professional marketing assistance, partnerships with community organizations and the creation of a new volunteer-driven Nova Ambassador Program. Organizers say the ambassador network will help build grassroots connections throughout the region and introduce more people to the venue’s offerings.
The initiative will also draw attention to Nova Arts’ Access for All program, a pay-what-you-can ticket model that became a permanent part of the organization’s operations earlier this year. The program allows audience members to choose what they can afford to pay—or attend at no cost if necessary—in an effort to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent people from experiencing live music, performances and community events.
Nova Arts Programming Director Eric Gagne said the organization has built a strong reputation for presenting unique performances and fostering community connections, but limited marketing resources have made it difficult to reach as many people as the group would like. He said the grant will help Nova Arts broaden its visibility and ensure more residents know about the opportunities available through the venue.
The award comes as Nova Arts continues to grow its role in the region’s cultural landscape. Organizers of this year’s Thing in the Spring festival described the venue as a community-centered “creative living room,” where audiences are encouraged to discover new artists, engage with unfamiliar ideas and participate in a collaborative arts environment.
Nova Arts operates as a nonprofit collaborative arts organization focused on presenting, incubating and promoting arts and culture through performances, education and community partnerships. Its programming emphasizes artistic discovery, underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for meaningful community connection.
“We’re psyched to have this help in furthering awareness of our work: cultivating a place of discovery for artists and audiences alike,” Gagne said.