Arts Engage ME

Cultural Sector Network Meeting

Folks traveled from all parts of Maine for the Cultural Sector Network Meeting earlier this week. Maine Arts Commission Executive Director Julie Richard provided a presentation on the state budget which included how the Arts Commission is funded.

Nina Ozlu Tunceli

Traveling from DC for the meeting was the Executive Director of the Americans for the Arts Arts Action Fund, Nina Ozlu Tunnel provided an update on the federal budget.

Special guest Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was present to provide the Congressional outlook. Those attending joined in celebrating the congresswoman’s role as the Co-Chair of the House Congressional Arts Caucus.

Also in attendance and speaking were staff from Senator Collins and Senator King’s offices.

Everyone is looking forward to Arts & Culture Day planned for the State House on April 22. If you’re interested in participating please contact the Maine Arts Commission.

 

Art and Music From Belfast High School

Sharing their passion

At Point Lookout in Northport on a beautiful day in February the Maine Arts Commission provided an opportunity to hear about Maine’s most recent arts and cultural economic impact data from two studies. Speaker Randy Cohen, Vice President for Research and Policy at Americans for the Arts (AFTA) shared the national Arts and Economic Prosperity 5(AEP5). Dee Schneidman from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) shared the highlights of The Jobs in New England’s Creative Economy and Why They Matter.

In addition, Arts EngageME was introduced, the nonprofit support and advocacy organization.  The organization is building an environment that engages all sectors, public and private, across Maine to promote the awareness and value of the creative and cultural sectors, and to invest in their sustainability. We envision a state that values the impact of arts and culture on Maine’s livability, vitality, and prosperity.

Sign up for Advocacy Alerts.

We were honored to have beautiful center pieces created by students from the Art Honor Society at Belfast High School. Thanks to art teachers Caitlin Algers and Heidi O’Donnell. Music teacher David Coffey brought four musicians from his  Modern Band class. The  students learn to play and sing, perform, improvise and compose using the popular styles that they know (and don’t know) and love (and might come to love) including rock, pop, reggae, hip hop, country and other modern styles. Modern band utilizes guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, vocals, and technology. They were awesome. The students included Jesse Kulbe, guitar and vocals, Macartney Wyatt, keyboard and vocals, Taylor Kinney, bass, and Jesse Perry, drums. All four students are seniors at Belfast High School. Thank you all for your contributions to remind those who attended what the reports are really all about – students and the future!

The Arts=Economic Prosperity in Maine

Luncheon with featured guests.

Photo credit: Chris Pinchbeck

Join the Maine Arts Commission, our new nonprofit support and advocacy group, ArtsEngageME, and two national guest speakers in the beautiful Summit Room at

Point Lookout

12 – 2 p.m. on February 27, 2018.

celebrate

learn

advocate

The data proves what we know in our hearts and communities: Maine’s artists, arts organizations, arts educators and creative workers bring joy and prosperity to all areas of the state.

Tickets are limited: REGISTER TODAY

Featured Speakers: Randy Cohen & Dee Schneidman

Special guest speakers Randy Cohen, Vice President for Research and Policy at Americans for the Arts, and

Dee Schneidman from the

New England Foundation for the Arts will unveil Maine’s most recent arts

and culture economic impact data

from two 2017 studies: the national Arts and Economic Prosperity 5(AEP5) study by Americans for the Arts, for which the Maine Arts Commission oversaw Maine’s first statewide participation in collaboration with five regional partners, and NEFA’s

The Jobs in New England’s Creative Economy and Why They Matter

And introducing our nonprofit support & advocacy organization: Arts Engage ME

Building an environment that engages all sectors, public and private, across Maine to promote the awareness and value of the creative and cultural sectors, and to invest in their sustainability. We envision a state that values the impact of arts and culture on Maine’s livability, vitality, and prosperity.

Sign up for Advocacy Alerts.