For over 24 years, James Chase has been an active member of the cultural art industry. He founded Arts Build Community (ABC), an organization that works with communities to create arts-based experiences led by artists, creators, and culture bearers in 2010. ABC has been recognized by municipals around northern New England for producing the Community Canvas Mural Program and the transformative power of art. Currently he is an Associate Professor at New England College and the Director of Art at French overseeing community education initiatives in the greater Manchester, NH community. Previously, James served as Director of Community Education at the New Hampshire Institute of Art.

Chase’s experience as an arts-based project consultant committed to empowering artists and cultural organizations with innovative ideas and creative solutions to reach professional success. For his artistic efforts within the community, Chase received the Bayberry Financial Services Artrepreneur Award from the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts for with his creative practices with the business sector. He is a New Hampshire Union Leader 40 Under Forty Awardee. He is a Recipient of the US Presidential Volunteer Service Award for commitment in the Arts with R.mfa, has been recognized by NH Campus Compact 2023 Presidents’ Good Steward Award for his contribution in professional expertise in community service.

Chase has been a round table presenter for NH4Art, Beyond The Statehouse Art Advocacy & for the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Leadership Manchester Arts and Culture day. His past Board leadership includes the Board of Directors Intown Manchester, the advisory committee for the Rochester Museum of Art, Arts commissioner for the City of Manchester and board member for Positive Street Art. James has also mentored as Big in the Brothers Big Sisters of NH program for 6 years. James holds a MFA in Art from the Texas Tech University and a BFA in Interdisciplinary Art from the New Hampshire Institute of Art.