AVA has an ongoing commitment to collaborate with community organizations and institutions to help make the arts an intrinsic part of our lives.

An example of a recent collaboration is the AVA/DHMC mural project. Painted by teenagers who have taken classes at AVA for many years, nine 4' x 8' panels were installed in the Radiation Oncology Department at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, New Hampshire on June 24, 2004.

For years, AVA has worked closely with LISTEN to offer scholarships for children to take art classes. We also work with organizations like United Developmental Services to place clients with special needs and talents in AVA classes. With Hannah House we have developed an internship program for young women to help in the gallery. We have organized special exhibitions in collaboration with various organizations, including Women’s Information Service (WISE). With Hospice we held an exhibition of works by children from a bereavement group. For years we have worked closely and creatively with a residential facility for individuals with mental illness. AVA also has a long tradition of association with area schools on a variety of projects.

We look forward to continuing this tradition of collaborations with community organizations in the future.