Claremont Creative Center Project Achieves Major Benchmarks

60% of Phase 1 Goal Raised to Date; $34k Needed to Unlock Byrne Foundation Challenge

CLAREMONT, NH – August 1, 2022 – Melissa Richmond, Executive Director of West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, announced that the organization has hit several milestones in its bid to create a new home, the Claremont Creative Center. “The progress on this project has been thoughtful, detailed, and significant,” stated Richmond. 

In June, the organization realized a goal set by the Community Development and Finance Authority to sell $400,000 in tax credits to area businesses in support of the project. 14 area businesses purchased credits: AB Gile, A Division of the Rowley Agency, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, BioXCell, Casella Waste Systems Inc, Century 21 Highview Realty, Chinburg Properties, Claremont Glassworks, Claremont Financial Services, Clearwater Performance Group, Crown Point Cabinetry, Mascoma Bank, Novo Nordisk, LaValley Building Supply, and Sugar River Bank. Says Richmond, “The support from our local businesses is a testament to the impact of this project on our community.”

This summer, the organization is focusing on raising the remaining $34,000 necessary to unlock a $100,000 challenge grant from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation. Says Richmond, “Realizing the Byrne Challenge grant is the next vital step that will allow the project to head into construction this winter. We can’t wait to open the doors to our new home to our community in Summer of 2023.” Phase 1 construction drawings have been finalized, and plans are underway for an open bidding process in late summer. 

The Claremont Creative Center project is a collaboration between the Claremont Development Authority and WCCMA to transform the long-empty Claremont National Bank Building located in the heart of Claremont into a nexus for arts education and performance, community gathering, and creative entrepreneurship to serve the businesses, artists, innovators, and students of the Upper Valley region. 

Tom Rock, Chairman of the Claremont Development Authority, states, “The Claremont Creative Center project will create jobs, increase investment, and improve educational opportunities for the community. In addition it will be a catalyst for continued economic growth & revitalization to the City Center. We are pleased to partner with the West Claremont Center for Music & the Arts on this important project in Claremont.”

When completed, the new facility will provide three floors of creative and educational spaces. Phase One of the project — activating the first floor — is slated for completion by Summer 2023 and will include a lobby / gallery space with box office area and coat room leading to an intimate and flexible 100-seat performance and event space. A flex space behind the performance room will be used for education programs, community events, and the incubation of small businesses. Additional spaces (restrooms, storage) will provide needed support for programs and activities. Energy efficiency, state-of-the-art equipment, and historic preservation are keys to the design plan. The future Claremont Creative Center is located in the heart of downtown Claremont at 56 Opera House Square, adjacent to the Claremont Opera House, city offices, and in direct relationship to area businesses, parks, and parking. 

To date, the project has raised $1.2 Million (60% of the Phase One goal of $2 Million) from government institutions, foundations, and individual donors. Phase One includes estimated planning costs to date, construction costs, campaign and construction administration, furnishings and equipment necessary to service the center, as well as funds for an operations reserve. Included in the funds raised to date is generous giving from New Hampshire’s Community Development Finance Authority, the Capital Regional Development Council, The Couch Family Foundation, the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire’s Our Kids Commission, The Hypertherm Owner’s Philanthropic Endeavours (HOPE) Foundation, Mascoma Bank Foundation, The Timken Foundation of Canton, and USDA’s Rural Business Development Grants. 

Want to help? Make a donation digitally or send a check to WCCMA, PO Box 902, Claremont, NH 03743 Memo: CCC

Founded in 2008, the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA) brings professional music and arts experiences, diverse musicians, and equitable educational opportunity to Claremont NH and the broader Upper Valley region. More than 50 world-class concerts, educational activities, and events are held annually for an attendance of 3,000 people per year. WCCMA is committed to offering all programs for free or low cost, with scholarships available. Our role is to bring great community to our art and great art to our community. To learn more about programs visit wcc-ma.org; learn about the Homecoming Campaign at claremontcreativecenter.org.

Collaborative Event: COH 125th Anniversary Event

Join us this Saturday at the Claremont Opera House’s 125th Anniversary, for an evening packed with history (past, present, and future) and performing arts. WCCMA is proud to have collaborated with COH in the creation of the musical program for the event, and will feature many WCCMA performers, staff, and friends at the event!

When: July 25th, 7pm
Location: Claremont Opera House, inside the Claremont City Hall, 58 Opera House Sq, Claremont, NH
Tickets Available at: COHNH.org

For full details, including more information about the theater presentation that kicks off the evening, featuring the Off-Broad Street Players, please visit the COH webpage.

The music program features a number of significant works in the history of Claremont and the Opera House, including works created for the dedication of the Opera House, works commissioned by Kinan Azmeh and Mark Harvey during the Claremont 250th celebration by WCCMA and the Claremont 250th Committee, as well as a work by Erika Svanoe for Ed Evensen and the Claremont American Band. Learn more about the performers and the composer by visiting www.wcc-ma.org/COH125.

This program and WCCMA’s collaboration is supported in part by a grant from the NH State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Announcing the 2022 Summer Concert Series!

All concerts by donation
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Dobet Gnahore

July 26, 2022 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Broad Street Park

Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Dobet is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her country in exciting new directions. A 2010 GRAMMY winner, Dobet Gnahoré is well – known for her jaw – dropping dance moves, powerful stage presence and richly emotional vocal style. Dobet will also be offering workshops during this engagement

Rain location: Union Episcopal Church

Presented in Collaboration with Claremont Parks & Recreation. Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

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Yankee Brass Band

July 29, 2022 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at WCCMA at Union Church

Each year,Yankee Brass Band entertains audiences throughout New England and championed the cause of “historically informed performance” within the field of American band music. Using rare and authentic period instruments, and outfitted in appropriate uniforms, the Yankee Brass Band presents the music of the “Golden Age of Bands” in much the same manner as in the mid to late 19th century.

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Bassel and the Supernaturals

August 3, 2022 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Broad Street Park

Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, and the war in Syria. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to engage audiences in over 100 different cities across North America. Bassel and crew will also be offering workshops during this engagement

Rain location: Union Episcopal Church

Presented in Collaboration with Claremont Parks & Recreation

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Tesla Quartet

August 6, 2022 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at WCCMA at Union Church

Praised for their “superb capacity to find the inner heart of everything they play, regardless of era, style, or technical demand” (The International Review of Music), the Tesla Quartet brings refinement and prowess to both new and established repertoire.The Tesla Quartet was formed at The Juilliard School in 2008 and quickly established itself as one of the most promising young ensembles in New York, winning Second Prize at the J.C. Arriaga Chamber Music Competition only a few months after its inception. The Tesla Quartet is Ross Snyder (violin), Michelle Lie (violin), Edwin Kaplan (viola), and Serafim Smigelskiy (cello).

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Pneuma

August 20, 2022 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at WCCMA at Union Church

PNEUMA (πνεῦμα) is an ancient Greek word for “breath”, “spirit” or “soul”. This quartet features four improvisers / composers: vocalist Ayelet Rose Gottlieb and clarinetists James FalzoneFrancois Houle and Michael Winograd. Pneuma’s sound is kaleidoscopic – many worlds entangled – blending contemporary electro-acoustic turbulent energies with gentle gestures inspired by Klezmer and jazz-infused improvisations. Presenting a poetry infused set, their music is “a globally-informed emotional panoply” (NYC Jazz Record) inspired by the wind.

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

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