Letter from the Director

During this legislative season, the Maine Arts Commission is working with our partners in the Maine Cultural Affairs Council on an ambitious and first-of-its-kind comprehensive legislative agenda to help develop Maine's cultural resources and creative economy.

The focal point for this agenda is LD 756, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Revitalize Downtown Areas, Support Cultural Tourism and Expand Maine's Creative Economy, sponsored by Senate President Betheda G. Edmonds of Freeport and co-sponsored by several other bi-partisan legislators. The bill seeks legislative endorsement, and ultimate citizen referendum approval, of a landmark $25 million bond issue for renovation, restoration and/or new construction of Maine's cultural facilities — libraries, theatres, museums and more. The intent is to introduce a bond in each of the next succeeding four legislative sessions for a total renovation fund of $100 million.

The member agencies of the Cultural Affairs Council (Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Library, Maine State Archives, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Maine State Museum, Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council) have conducted a statewide survey of the bricks and mortar needs of Maine's cultural facilities. With 38 percent return on the survey, we have identified more than $330 million in capital needs from the stateÕs cultural facilities. Governor John E. Baldacci has included $5 million for this cultural renovation fund in his $197 bond package, which was presented to the Legislature in February.

At the same time, interest has been generated in sustaining Maine's New Century Community program. That program was the core of expanded funding for the Maine Arts Commission, which supports the agency's grants and outreach programs. During budget reductions of the past three years, support for the New Century Community program has been all but eliminated.

Two strategies for revitalizing this program are now under legislative consideration. The first, sponsored by Senator Margaret Rotundo of Lewiston, is to provide the program with operational funds by dedicating a portion of the new meals and lodging tax to the Cultural Affairs Council. The second strategy is led by Representatives Jeff Kaelin of Winterport and Christopher Rector of Thomaston, who have introduced bills to provided funding for the council through a surcharge on deed recording.

This is the first time that Maine's cultural resources have had a comprehensive legislative program and it is also the first time that both the Executive Department and the Legislature have provided major coordinated support for cultural affairs. We owe a big thank you to Governor Baldacci and our legislative sponsors for their commitment to supporting and developing Maine's cultural resources as building blocks for the creative economy.

However, much work remains to be done to achieve success with these endeavors in a difficult budget year. To that end, the Maine Arts Commission will be increasing its commitment to public education and will be holding several sessions over the next few months. In the spring, the agency will also hold a series of day-long workshops around the state to educate people about the programs and services that the agency offers (read more about this). Also, the National Assembly of State Arts Agency's legislative council, Thomas Birch, will be at the Maine Arts Commission annual meeting on June 17 to discuss advocacy.

Finally, I want to recognize the creation, or perhaps the recreation, of a statewide cultural advocacy organization. The Maine Community Cultural Alliance, active in the early 1990s, is in the process of being reformed as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, dedicated to legislative action. This is the first time Maine will have a major advocacy organization representing all cultural disciplines. It will be a major step forward in the sophistication of Maine's cultural advocates and a welcome one for effective advocacy.

Please look for further development as legislation progresses this year. You will be receiving alerts from various sources and updates on the progress of Maine's legislative cultural agenda.

As always, please call me or e-mail with your questions and comments.

Alden C. Wilson
Director