About the Creative Career Lab

Over the winter and early spring of 2026, the Maine Arts Commission held a series of Creative Career Labs in communities across the state in collaboration with Lights Out.

The video above offers a glimpse into these gatherings and the conversations that shaped them. Each Lab brought artists, creative workers, and community members together to share experiences, ask questions, and talk openly about what it takes to build and sustain a creative career in Maine.

Through these community conversations, participants explored topics such as professional development, visibility, networks, funding, collaboration, and long-term creative practice.

The resources collected on this page were part of the Creative Career Lab presentations and reflect some of the tools, programs, and opportunities the Maine Arts Commission has helped bring to Maine artists as they build, strengthen, and sustain their creative careers. This list will continue to evolve as we add and share new resources for artists, creative workers, and communities across the state.