History

In 2024, Ronan Dwyer, along with the original CANE board members, graduated from college. Art school had given them a tight knit community of artists ready to learn and grow- but graduation, and subsequently, the real world, had destroyed this resource. Without a unifying factor, these creatives had felt a loss of such a wonderful environment and were determined to bring it back.

By January of 2025, after deliberation between Ronan Dwyer, Aarynn O’Brien, Erika Ventura, and four other artists, they would lay the foundation for the Creative Artists of New England (CANE). In February of 2025, CANE made its first Instagram post and launched publicly. By June of 2025, CANE received its non-profit status in New Hampshire and by December of the same year, CANE received its 501(c)(3) tax-exemption status. Feeling a lot of connection in New Hampshire, CANE began to stretch its fingers into other states. Not long after, in February of 2026, CANE received its non-profit status in Maine. CANE is slowly stretching to the other states.

By August of 2026, CANE began to build resources and find friends in the communities it hopes to serve. CANE’s first big collaboration was with See/Saw Art in Manchester, New Hampshire. This collaboration was CANE’s first in-person exhibition called “Hello Neighbor”.

CANE is proud to have been build through the tremendous teamwork of multiple artists, some of whom only shared their expertise to help push CANE forward. By 2025, CANE introduced the additions of Isabella Zayas Gaby and Lori Morales, and by 2026, introduced Emily Plourde. With these additions, CANE has a strong team ready to face any challenges and adventures in its future.

To learn more about CANE’s tax-exempt status, scroll to the bottom of this page. Follow our Instagram or join our newsletter to stay up to date with CANE’s journey.

Mission

Creative Artists of New England (CANE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in New Hampshire, dedicated to building a community of artists within the states of New England: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. CANE’s mission is to provide resources to upcoming and current artists, as well as give opportunities for growth, artistically, financially, and socially.

*As we are just starting out, resources are limited to New Hampshire and Maine. As we grow, resources will be expanded to other states.

Vision

CANE’s vision is to create a New England where art is affordable and accessible to every current and aspiring artist.

  • CANE will create a community dedicated to making the world a better place through the arts. We will promote and advocate for the arts and create spaces specifically for artists.

    CANE will provide educational resources like workshops, artist talks, lectures, and critique spaces to foster environments of education, learning, and growth.

    CANE will foster creativity, resourcefulness, individuality, and expressionism to create environments where artists can drawn inspiration from their surroundings and fellow artists. CANE will boost artists and small businesses through collaboration to offer affordable workshops, galleries, artist talks, critique spaces, and many more community based opportunities.

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    CANE is dedicated to diversity and no one shall be discriminated against on the bases of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, marital status, country of origin, citizenship status, education status, and disability status.

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    CANE shall be an equal opportunity employer, and it shall not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed/religious beliefs, sex, disabilities, financial status, or national origin (i) in the persons serviced, or in the manner of service; (ii) in the hiring, assignment, promotion, salary determination, or other conditions of staff employment; (iii) in the selection of members; or (iv) in the membership of its Executive Board.

    ADA Compliance

    CANE is committed to providing equal access and opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities, and is dedicated to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. CANE is continuously working to ensure that our physical facilities, services, and communications are accessible to all.

  • All members will refrain from any works that can be discriminatory or otherwise hateful/ignorant. CANE will create environments that are anti-hateful to promote D.E.I.

  • All CANE resources will be affordable and accessible. All workshops, events, collaborations will work with the goals of affordability and accessibility in mind.

  • There is no tolerance for Generative AI-made works of any kind. CANE strives to create an environment free from Generative AI-made work.

Our Values

CANE’s non-profit status

As of June 9th, 2025, CANE is tax exempt under Internal Revenue code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Under Section 501(c)(3), CANE was further classified as a public charity under IRC Section 509(a)(2). CANE’s 501(c)(3) non-profit EIN is: 39-2974020.

What does this mean?

Section 501(c)(3) exempts CANE from payment of corporate income tax and also allows CANE to receive public and private grants. Furthermore, this status allows any donor to deduct contributions they make to CANE under IRC Section 170. Learn more, here.