Maine Arts Commission

?? "Painting long into the darkness, guided by the rhythm of northern Maine’s landscapes and the distant howls of coyotes..." A wonderful write up of Aroostook artist Frank Sullivan, who brings his evocative works to the Art In The Capitol exhibition at the Maine State House Gallery. Tomorrow at noon, he’ll lead an artist talk—sharing insights into his creative process, inspirations, and the raw beauty of artistic exploration. ?? When: March 20, 12:00 PM ?? Where: Maine State House Come for the art, stay for the conversation! #MaineArts #ArtistTalk #FrankSullivan #MaineStateHouse #ArtInMaine https://lnkd.in/eKczAf5r

The Maine Arts Commission is seeking peer-review panelists for the 2025 (FY26) grant season! Panelists play a vital role in evaluating grant applications—helping ensure a fair and comprehensive review process. This is a great opportunity to support Maine’s creative sector while working alongside fellow arts and culture professionals. Who can apply? Maine residents (18+) with experience in: The arts (all disciplines) Arts education & youth advocacy Cultural placekeeping & development Accessibility in the arts Social justice & community building Arts programming for veterans ...and more! What’s involved? April-May: Read and score 20-30 grant applications online Attend a 1-hour Zoom orientation (April) Join a virtual panel review session (May) Receive an honorarium for your service! Deadline to apply: March 19! Apply now in the link in the link below: https://lnkd.in/gqtAgTxc

In the 20 years of #PoetryOutLoud, this was one for the books! The Waterville Opera House was electric as 11 state finalists from across Maine delivered powerful recitations—from Shakespeare to contemporary poetry. A huge THANK YOU to the students, teachers, parents, and poetry lovers who make this program possible, and to our incredible judges, Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell (our brilliant emcee), Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, and the inspiring Arisa White. Shoutout to Portland Media Center for streaming the event—over 1,400 views and counting!?Stay tuned for the full video and exclusive interviews. Congratulations to all our finalists! Special cheers to Runner-Up Rose Lehane-Tureen (Cheverus High School) and State Champion Pendo Dawe (Maine Coast Waldorf School), who will represent Maine at the National Finals in Washington, D.C.!?

Watch the Poetry Out Loud Maine State Finals – Live! Date: March 3, 2025 Location: Waterville Opera House Watch Live: Streaming on Facebook Join us for this live-streamed event as finalists from across the state compete for the title of Maine State Champion, a chance to advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C., and scholarship awards.

Funding Opportunity for Maine Communities! The Creative Communities Grant from the Maine Arts Commission is now open for applications. This $7,000 grant supports arts-based projects that bring people together, foster collaboration, and address community needs. Who can apply? ?? 501(c)(3) organizations ?? K-12 schools (through their school district) ?? Municipalities ?? Tribal entities Eligible projects must: Serve Maine communities Directly benefit the public Be open and accessible to all Deadline to apply: March 19, 2025, at 5 PM For more details, visit: https://lnkd.in/eY4Nkx2C Questions? Contact Grants Director Eli Cabanas at [email protected] or 207-287-6746.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of welcoming the?2025 Maine Artist Fellowship?recipients at the annual?Fellowship Tea?at the?Blaine House?in Augusta. This gathering celebrated both the outgoing 2024 fellows and the newly awarded 2025 fellows, recognizing artistic excellence, creativity, and the strength of Maine’s arts community. Governor?Janet Mills, members of the?Maine Arts Commission,?Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, and legislative leaders?Representative Barbara Bagshaw?and?Senator Jim Libby?from the?Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs?joined us to honor these artists and their impact on Maine’s cultural landscape. The?Maine Artist Fellowship?supports and advances the careers of exceptional Maine artists while promoting public awareness of the creative sector’s contributions to our state. Each recipient receives a?$5,000 unrestricted award?to support their artistic practice. Congratulations to the 2025 Maine Artist Fellows! Addison de Lisle?– Belvedere Craft Fellow Libby Schrum?– Fine Craft Fellow Lynne Schmidt?– Literary Fellow Anita Clearfield?– Media Arts Fellow Mali Obomsawin?– Performing Arts Fellow Maurice Habimfura?– Traditional Arts Fellow Ian Trask?– Visual Arts Fellow We are proud to support these outstanding artists and look forward to sharing their work as they continue to shape Maine’s creative future.

Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry Out Loud: Maine’s Regional Finals Are Here! The Maine Arts Commission is thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud, a national program that has empowered students across the country to discover the beauty and power of spoken poetry. This year, talented high school students from across Maine will take the stage at three Regional Finals, showcasing their dedication to literature, public speaking, and the art of recitation. ?? Southern Regional Final – Feb. 4 @ 5 PM | The Public Theatre, Lewiston ?? Central Regional Final – Feb. 11 @ 5 PM | Bangor Public Library, Bangor ?? Northern Regional Final – Feb. 22 @ 10 AM | Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, Presque Isle These events are free and open to the public, providing an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate the next generation of poets, performers, and storytellers. The finalists from each regional competition will move on to the Maine State Final on March 3 at the Waterville Opera House, with the state champion advancing to the National Finals in Washington, DC.

??Congratulations to Penobscot basket maker Theresa Secord! We are thrilled to celebrate Theresa Secord, a dedicated artist and advocate for Wabanaki basketry, who has just been awarded a $100,000 Ruth Foundation for the Arts Award! For over four decades, Secord has worked tirelessly to preserve and elevate Wabanaki basketry, ensuring its recognition in fine art spaces while mentoring the next generation of Indigenous artists. As the founding director of the Maine Indian Basket Makers Alliance, she has played a pivotal role in sustaining this endangered tradition and amplifying Indigenous voices in the arts. This prestigious national award honors artists who not only create extraordinary work but also uplift entire creative ecosystems. Theresa’s impact is profound, and this recognition is well deserved! Read the full story by Megan Gray with photography by Séan Alonzo Harris, Brianna Soukup, and Theresa Secord herself: https://lnkd.in/eGCajRiC

Join us for the Arts Education Advocacy Afternoon at the Maine State House Hall of Flags on January 28, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM! Featuring: Student art, music, and inspiring speeches from schools across Maine. Remarks from Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry, Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, and Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma. And don't miss the?Veterans Art Exhibit?showcasing 38 artists and 70+ pieces, with a special tour at noon. Celebrate the power of the arts and their impact on Maine’s cultural and educational landscape! #ArtsEducation #Advocacy #MaineArts

We traveled to Oxford County to meet the team at Lights Out Gallery?and hear about their vision for transforming the old snowshoe factory into an extraordinary cultural hub. So much potential, opportunity, enthusiasm and fun! Learn more about their plans at lightsoutgallery.org. Photo: Amy Hausmann, Reed McLean, Danielle Moriarty, Daniel Sipe, Ben Troutman.