Arts Learning Exchange Series 2026–27
Connecting Classrooms, Connecting Communities
Six regional gatherings. One statewide arts learning community.
The Arts Learning Exchange Series 2026–27 brings together people who believe that arts learning thrives when schools and communities work together.
Across the school year, six half-day regional gatherings will connect PK–12 arts educators, classroom teachers, school leaders, teaching artists, arts organizations, museums, libraries, higher education, PTAs, and municipal leaders for conversation, creativity, connection, and collaboration.
Each gathering will be hosted by a regional anchor organization and shaped by the people and possibilities of that community.
What Happens When We Connect?
The Exchange Series is a local follow-up to the 2025 Maine Arts Learning Summit, bringing the energy and ideas of that statewide gathering into communities across Maine.
Connect
Build relationships across districts, disciplines, and sectors.
Discover
Hear inspiring local stories and learn about resources, opportunities, and the evolving statewide arts learning landscape.
Imagine
Share hopes and dreams for arts learning in schools, communities, and across the state.
Create
Experience a hands-on creative activity led by a local artist, educator, student, or arts organization.
Collaborate
Find potential partners and explore what becomes possible when local assets and people come together.
A Half-Day Designed for Connection
Every gathering will be different. Every gathering will have something in common.
Each regional Exchange will include a mix of:
- Welcome & Youth Arts: Begin by celebrating the creativity of young people in the region.
- Inspiring Local Partnership Stories: Fast-paced Pecha Kucha or Ignite-style presentations from local educators, artists, organizations, and partners.
- The Statewide Perspective: Get the latest perspective on arts learning across Maine from statewide leaders Cee Belolan, Maine Department of Education, and Martha Piscuskas, Maine Arts Commission.
- Hopes & Dreams: Imagine what vibrant arts learning could look like for your community, region, and state.
- Local Asset Mapping: Identify the people, organizations, resources, spaces, and ideas already present in your community.
- Creative Experience: Make, move, listen, perform, explore, or create with a local creative partner.
- Partnership Building: A lively “speed dating” activity designed to help participants discover potential collaborators.
- Food & Conversation: Because relationships are built around tables, too.
- Highlights & Takeaways: Leave with new connections, ideas, and possibilities.
Who Should Attend?
If you have a role in helping people of any age learn, create, or connect through the arts, you belong at the Exchange.
We especially welcome:
- PK–12 Arts Educators
- Classroom & Non-Arts Educators
- School Administrators & School Board Members
- Teaching Artists
- Community Arts Organizations
- Museums & Arts Centers
- Libraries
- Higher Education
- PTAs & Family Engagement Leaders
- Municipal & Community Leaders
You don’t need to be an arts specialist. You just need to care about the role creativity can play in building connected communities.
Six Places. Six Opportunities to Connect.
| Date | Region | Host / Location |
|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Southern Maine | Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ogunquit |
| November 18, 2026 | Downeast | Ellsworth |
| January 2027 | Capitol Area | Gardiner/Augusta |
| March 2027 | Greater Portland | Portland |
| April 2027 | Western Maine | Farmington |
| May 2027 | Northern Maine | Presque Isle |
Registration will open for each gathering as details are finalized.
Can’t make one in your region? You’re welcome to attend another Exchange.
Who’s Making It Happen?
Lead Organizers
Maine Arts Commission
Maine Department of Education
Educate Maine
Co-Sponsors
Maine Alliance for Arts Education
Colby Arts
Side by Side
Maine Art Education Association
Cultural Alliance of Maine
Maine Music Education Association
Local Partners
Ogunquit Museum of American Art
Heart of Ellsworth
Field Note Music School
Artsworth
More regional partners to come
Bring your ideas. Bring your curiosity. Bring someone new.
The Arts Learning Exchange is not a traditional conference. It’s a chance to sit at the same table with people you might not otherwise meet.
Come ready to share what’s working, imagine what’s possible, discover the assets in your own backyard, and find the people who can help turn ideas into action.
Let’s connect classrooms. Let’s connect communities. Let’s strengthen arts learning across Maine.
Register Your Interest for the Arts Learning Exchange ⇒Questions?
Martha Piscuskas, Maine Arts Commission
vog.eniam@saksucsip.ahtram
Cee Belolan, Maine Department of Education
vog.eniam@naloleb.eec
Kate Carlisle, Educate Maine
gro.eniametacude@elsilrac.etak
Accessibility Information
For information about the Maine Arts Commission’s current accessibility policies, our work to advance digital accessibility, or assistance accessing website content, grant guidelines, or applications, please contact ADA Accessibility Coordinator Eli Cabañas by email at vog.eniam@sanabac.ile or by phone at 207-215-5872.
It is the policy of the Maine Arts Commission not to discriminate on the basis of disability. The Commission is dedicated to making our programs accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and assisting individuals with disabilities in connecting with resources for access to the arts. All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.