Arts in Education

	ARGY NESTOR

Maine Department of Education Hires Argy Nestor as the New
Visual & Performing Arts Consultant

Argy Nestor has been selected as the new visual and performing arts consultant for the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). This is great news for arts education in Maine—a knowledgeable, articulate arts education leader working within the MDOE to strengthen arts education for Maine students.

Argy has taught visual art at D.R. Gaul Middle School in Union, Maine, for more than 20 years, and was Maine Teacher of the Year in 1995 and previously served as a Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) board member.

“What an honor to be selected for the Department of Education Arts position,” Nestor said. “I look forward to working with the arts educators and organizations throughout the state of Maine to advance the quality of education and delivery of instruction in the arts!”

Valerie Seaberg, team leader for the MDOE, said of Nestor’s hiring, “We are so pleased that Argy will be serving in the capacity of the visual and performing arts specialist. She brings significant experience and highly regarded expertise to the position. Argy will provide great leadership in this very important and unique state level role in arts education.”

MAAE and the organizations of the Arts are Basic Coalition have advocated for the reinstatement of this position in the MDOE since it was eliminated in budget cuts more than 10 years ago.

Carol Trimble, executive director of MAAE said she and her colleagues are grateful for the support of Governor John Elais Baldacci, First Lady Karen Baldacci, and Education Commissioner Susan Gendron, “in ensuring that arts education is represented in the Maine Department of Education. And thanks to our many members for your continued support as we’ve all worked together to advocate for this position in the Maine Department of Education.”

“I look forward to working with Argy when she begins this new job in August,” added Trimble.