We're coming to the Portland Public Library in Portland on April 16, 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:

Portland attendees will have the option of a special morning session dedicated to strengthening community arts. This three-hour workshop, presented by Craig Deeszen Ph.D., will address board development and management. Craig will discuss how to select, cultivate, prepare and manage board members in assuming the tasks your organization needs the most for long term success.

The workshop is primarily designed for community arts leaders, but all are welcome. The workshop is free and open to all. Pre-registration is required. To reserve a place contact Five Rivers Arts Alliance at: 207-798-6964 or info@fiveriversartsalliance.org. This workshop is made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maine Arts Commission. Full details of Community Arts Workshop - Strategies for Success:Getting the Bang out of Your Board.

The Maine Arts Commission will be conducting three sessions running throughout the afternoon from 12:55 to 5:15 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.

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Alternate locations:

Portland

Workshop Schedule
Time	Workshop	Location
9:00 - 12:00	Community Arts Workshop Strategies for Success: Getting the Bang out of Your Board Presenter: Craig Dreeszen	Rines auditorium
12:55 - 1:10	Maine Arts Commission Introductions	Rines Auditorium
1:10 - 2:25	Technology and Marketing Presenter: Darrell Bulmer	Rines Auditorium
1:10 - 2:25	Grants Doctor with Kathy Ann Shaw	Room 316
2:35 - 3:50	Contemporary Art and Public Art Presenters: Donna McNeil, Kerstin Gilg and Lauren Johnston	Rines Auditorium
2:35 - 3:50	Grants Doctor with Kathy Ann Shaw	Room 316
4:00 - 5:15	Community Arts, Traditional Arts and Arts in Education Presenters: Keith Ludden and Argy Nestor	Rines Auditorium
4:00 - 5:15	Grants Doctor with Kathy Ann Shaw	Room 316

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.

Lauren Johnston, Public Art Coordinator, New England Foundation for the Arts will join the panel in Portland. In 2007 the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) completed a study of its public art programs. The study findings include recommendations for NEFA’s future public art programming, as well as a survey on the field of public art in New England and beyond. Come hear key findings from the study and learn how you can become involved in NEFA’s public art programs.

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. Additionally, Argy Nestor will present an overview of the work of the Maine Department of Education for Visual and Performing Arts Education. This will include the revisions of the Maine Learning Results, approved by the Maine State Board of Education in October 2007.

Details and directions:

Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101
207/871-1700

map of the area

The Main Branch of the Portland Public Library is located on the corner of Elm Street and Congress Street, convenient to the Metro Pulse bus station on Elm Street. If you prefer to drive, follow these directions:

From the north:

Exit Route 295 at Franklin St. (Exit 7). Go up Franklin Street to the fourth light, then turn right onto Congress St.; take Congress St. to Elm St. (Monument Square); go right onto Elm St.

From the south:

Via the Maine Turnpike: Exit Route 95 (Maine Turnpike) at exit 44, which will put you onto Route 295. Exit Route 295 at Franklin St. (Exit 7). Go up Franklin St. to the fourth light, then turn right onto Congress St.; take Congress St. to Elm St. (Monument Square); go right onto Elm St.

There is a public parking lot on Elm St., and another parking lot on the corner of Elm St. and Cumberland Ave.

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