Portland Ovations

The arts have always had a profound impact, and our recent 2023-24 Season was no exception. We are filled with gratitude as we share with you our Annual Impact Report, highlighting the 2023-24 performance season. This work would not be possible without our dedicated supporters. We look boldly to a future where the arts remain a place for people of all backgrounds to gather. Where we feel safe, welcome, and our stories and perspectives are honored. Read the full report by visiting PORTLANDOVATIONS.ORG

?? Please take the Portland Ovations Social Media Survey! We want to hear from you, please consider participating in this brief survey to help advance the Ovations social media content strategy. https://lnkd.in/gkUampeH

This month and every day, we invite you to honor, observe, and celebrate Black history, including the innumerous and invaluable contributions Black artists have made to the vibrancy of our cultural landscape. Following are some ways to learn more and connect with Black history in Maine. ? Visit blackhistorymonth.gov for stories and galleries of Black history. ? Support Indigo Arts Alliance - A Portland based organization dedicated to cultivating the artistic development of people of Black and Brown descent. ? See "Black Salts: Black Sailors in Maine and New England" - Virtual program at Maine Historical Society ? Walk the Portland Freedom Trail - A self guided walking tour of 13 sites sharing the story of Portland's African American community and the Underground Railroad. ?This month and every day, we invite you to honor, observe, and celebrate Black history, including the innumerous and invaluable contributions Black artists have made to the vibrancy of our cultural landscape. Following are some ways to learn more and connect with Black history in Maine. Learn about the Abyssinian Meeting House - An historic landmark, a center of community and gathering throughout the 19th century. PICTURED: "Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations"

Happy work-a-versary to Mary Campbell! Mary embodies everything Ovations stands for: community, art, and excellence. Over the past 20 years, Mary has been instrumental in shaping our organization, serving as Development Associate, Development Director, Membership Director, and now as Office Administrator. Her dedication and leadership have played a key role in our growth and success. Join us in celebrating Mary’s incredible two decades with Ovations by reading the Q&A through the link below, where she reflects on her journey and contributions to our mission. https://lnkd.in/gpN62Fss

Ovations welcomes people of all abilities to our performances and programs. Our wide range of offerings each season means that Ovations performances happen in a variety of venues across Greater Portland—including non-traditional community spaces like museums, churches, and city parks. We prioritize ADA-compliancy and universal design when choosing venues. As an organization, we are always working to expand the accessibility of our programs and events. The Accessibility page on our website offers dedicated pages for each performance venue, addressing common questions like parking, building entry, and seating details, along with information about the access services we currently provide, and other common questions. As we plan for future seasons, we want to hear from you about what services you would like to see Ovations offer: Open captioning? Audio-described performances? Sensory-friendly spaces? Please take a moment to share your thoughts in our Accessibility Services Survey! Please note that we are seeking feedback from a variety of audiences. We all deserve access, and all have different needs. You do not need to identify as a part of the disability community to participate. ?? To take the survey use the link below, or find it linked to the Accessibility page on the Portland Ovations website. https://lnkd.in/gz-S-8m9

Portland Ovations provides safe spaces for all to bring their full and authentic selves to share in the experience of the performing arts. You are welcome here as you are.

?? Thank You, Unum! ?? Portland Ovations extends our heartfelt gratitude to Unum for their generous support of our "Live Performance Access for All" initiative. Your support helps us break down barriers to the arts—whether physical, economic, social, or geographic—ensuring that everyone in our community has the opportunity to experience the magic of live performance. With your partnership, we’re able to serve more than 50,000 individuals each season, provide robust accessibility services, and lead by example in creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for all. Thank you for helping us make the performing arts accessible to everyone!

?? A great congratulations to Ovations board member Genius Black for being named Community Leader of the Year at the PROPEL 2025 Ignition Awards! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Genius Black, also known as Jerry Edwards, is a social innovator, podcast host, and grant writer based in Maine. Naturally a storyteller and motivator, he focuses on collaboration and media arts. Genius curates a collaborative collective of musical talent, GEM CITY Maine. He is the father of two, 17 and 20 years old. He hosts Maine’s Black Future podcast with the Maine Monitor, focusing on historic and current influential Black Mainers. The podcast was awarded a multi - generational ‘Grants for Change’ award in 2023, and Genius was named the Maine Arts Commission Media Arts Fellow for 2024. Genius is a Portland Media Center and Portland Ovations board member, and he honorably served as Emcee for the Maine Immigration Forum’s inaugural event in 2023. Genius is a News Center Maine political analyst, appearing on the state-wide “Political Brew” talk show. He is also the Digital Media Coordinator for the Maine Humanities Council, and recently published his first book: “7 Genius Grant Writing Secrets”.

Ovations is thrilled to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants. “This grant is more than an acknowledgement ?of Ovations’ programming — it is testament to the creative community partners, eager audiences and amazing artists we get to work with each season.”

Before the January 25 concert with ESPRESSIVO! there are a couple ways to dig deeper into the program they will be playing. ??Pre-Performance Lecture with Dr. Thomas Wolf Nurturing Chamber Music and Chamber Musicians January 25, 2025 ? 12:45 - 1:30 PM ?? Program notes by Philip Carlsen The 2024-25 Chamber pre-performance lectures are curated by George Lopez, Beckwith Artist-in-Residence & Director of the Bowdoin Orchestra. PORTLANDOVATIONS.ORG