We're coming to the Olson Student Center at the University of Maine Farmington, in Farmington on June 11, 2008!

The staff of the Maine Arts Commission is holding a series of workshops to share information and advice about a broad range of issues relevant to Maine’s artists, communities and cultural organizations. The panel style workshops will provide a forum to learn, to ask questions and to network with fellow artists from your region.

Workshops schedule:

There will be three sessions running throughout the afternoon from 12:45 to 5:30 p.m. These sessions are open houses and free. They are held in accessible venues and do not require pre-registration, except for anyone wishing to attend one of the Grant Doctor sessions, these require advance sign up. Full Details of Grant Doctor.

The following is a brief description of information to be presented at individual sessions:

Technology and Marketing

This presentation will educate artists, arts organizations and arts and cultural related businesses about the agency’s free online marketing services as well as a whole host of other available marketing tools and techniques. Walking through actual examples we will highlight the latest marketing trends, discuss working with the media and provide other practical information.

Contemporary Art and Public Art

This presentation and panel discussion will offer artists concrete professional development guidance and support, including grant programs and applications; and submissions to presenters. It will also act as an introduction to the value and function of art in public spaces and offer a guide to applying for public art and Percent for Art commissions. The conversation will cover local and regional efforts taking place to expand the role of public art. At some locations members of the New England Foundation for the Arts will present what their agency’s plans are for developing the field in the future.

Community Arts, Traditional Arts, and Arts in Education

This session will provide an overview of current programs in Community Arts, Traditional Arts and Arts in Education. It will be of interest to community arts leaders, cultural workers, traditional artists, presenters, educators and teaching artists. The discussion will highlight grant programs and opportunities within these fields. This year’s workshop attendees will enjoy the additional expertise of Argy Nestor who joins us from the Maine Department of Education.

< Left image Description of pieces from left to right: Xylophone, of Senegal, Linda Beck Collection (UMF assistant professor of political science); Decorative Kora, of Mali, Linda Beck Collection; Stool, of Burkina Faso, Barbara Skapa Collection

Details and directions:

Olson Student Center North Dining Area at the University of Maine Farmington, ME

map of the area
campus map (pdf)
To see more of the University of Maine at Farmington you can take a virtual tour of the entire campus.

The Olsen Student Center is located on the University of Maine at Farmington campus on Main Street in downtown Farmington — near Routes 2, 4, and 27.

From the South:

Take the Maine Turnpike (U.S. Route 95) North to Exit 75 at Auburn. Then just follow Route 4 North to Farmington. Or, take the Maine Turnpike (U.S. Route 95) North to Exit 112B in Augusta. Then follow Route 27 North to Farmington.

From the West:

Just follow U.S. Route 2 East to Farmington.

From the North and East:

Take the Maine Turnpike (U.S. Route 95) to Exit 157 Palmyra/Newport. Then just follow U.S. Route 2 West to Farmington.

If you need assistance you can phone the friendly folks at the University Campus Switchboard: 207-778-7000 or the Office of Admission: 207-778-7050.

For attendees with special needs:

The Maine Arts Commission conducts all of its programs in accessible spaces. If you require special accommodations to participate please call 207/287-2724 voice or 877/887-3878 TTY/NexTalk.

If you have further questions please call Darrell Bulmer 207/287-6746 voice or 877/887-3878 TTY/NexTalk User ID darrell.bulmer