Maine Arts Commission News

Maine Arts Commission wins Silver Arrow Award

The Maine Arts Commission was recognized with a 2003 Silver Arrow Award from the Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) during its annual Golden Arrow Awards ceremony this past December. A direct-mail postcard promoting MaineArts.com received the honor, due to the measurable results that were generated from the low-cost communications piece. This is the second year in a row the Maine Arts Commission received recognition from MPRC since developing a new logo and implementing new communications initiatives.

The project was under the direction of Maine Arts Commission staff members Bryan W. Knicely, assistant director/accessibility coordinator, and Lisa Veilleux, technology/website associate. The project was implemented by Shoestring Creative Group of Portland.

Directly following the postcard's mailing, web activity increased by 35 percent. Since the mailing, the web site averages a 40 percent increase in subscribers each month. The postcard also provides an essential "hand out" for Maine Arts Commission staff as they travel the state and attend events. They have reported back to the administration that the public (and they themselves) seem to have a better understanding of why the web site was created and how it is beneficial to the people in the state of Maine.