U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen met Aug. 31 with representatives of New Hampshire’s entertainment venues to learn how another federal relief package could be of assistance.

But it quickly became apparent that money alone was not going to save New Hampshire’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

Nicki Clarke, the Capitol Center for the Art’s executive director, said she was grateful for the federal assistance hers and other venues have received but added that unless people are willing to attend events, the business model is not going to work.

All of those who attended the meeting, which was held at the Capitol Center’s Bank of NH Stage in Concord, expressed concerns over whether they could retain the talent.

Andrew Pinard, founder of Hatbox Theatre, a performance space at the Steeplegate Mall in Concord, summarized the heart of the is sue: loss of public confidence stemming from an inconsistent national message and lack of information about Covid-19.

“They can’t feel comfortable making basic decisions on whether it’s safe to leave the house,” Pinard said of audiences. “That fear, in some ways, drives what we do.”

In response, Shaheen said, “We need a national plan with contact tracing that will give people confidence.”

She spoke of a need for more federal funding for contact tracing and testing, and referenced Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, which has developed an in-home Covid-19 antibody test.

While there are a number of disagreements holding it up, Shaheen said there is strong bipartisan support for a $4,000 individual deduction before taxes for charitable contributions.

— LIISA RAJALA