Letter from the Director

This month, I would like to pass on some thoughts about advocacy. March is National Arts Advocacy Month, and in Maine, we celebrate the arts in education with Arts Education Advocacy Day on March 15 at the State House Hall of Flags, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The day will be the usual lively, annual celebration of arts education, including award presentations, student performances, colorful displays and appearances by our special guests, including the Governor and First Lady as well as other dignitaries and award-winners.

Each year, the Maine Alliance for Arts Education honors two advocates for arts education with the Arts Advocacy Award. One school administrator receives the Outstanding Advocate for Arts in Education Award. A second commendation, the Bill Bonyon Award, goes to a teacher, parent or community member who is making a positive impact in arts education. These two awards will be presented at a special ceremony by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education. This year's events will also include a celebration of First Lady Karen M. Baldacci's new "Maine Youth Excellence in Art" project initiative.

Please come join other arts education advocates for these events at the State House.

I have mentioned the need for advocacy in previous letters, and as plans progress for the Blaine House Conference on the Creative Economy, it is more apparent to me than ever before that we need a better coordinated statewide advocacy coalition for the arts/cultural interests and the Creative Economy itself. To that end, the Maine Arts Commission will be engaging a community relations/public information staff person who will be working with the agency — but primarily with the private sector — in establishing a better public information/advocacy network for the state.

Good advocacy begins with knowing your thoughts about the services of the Maine Arts Commission. We have developed a survey that can be filled out electronically online. It will guide the Maine Arts Commission's planning agenda for the next several months, and it is important that we hear from as many people as possible.

We hope you enjoy this issue of MaineArtsMag. As always, we welcome your thoughts and recommendations.

Alden C. Wilson
Director