FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2017

ArtWalks Strengthen Maine Communities

Tips, tricks and impact at the first ArtWalk Maine Summit April 5

AUGUSTA, MAINE- What enticing events is your community planning this summer?  While Mainers are slowly emerging from the winter doldrums, communities from all across the state are beginning to plan for warmer days ahead. For many communities, this means organizing artwalks.

On April 5 in Brunswick, the Maine Arts Commission invites community organizers to participate in the ArtWalk Maine 2017 Summit. Event organizers and community development leaders are invited to share their ideas for the upcoming season; how they are doing it; and to explore new ways the arts community can contribute to the vibrancy of Maine towns and cities.

"If you've never been to an artwalk in Maine, you're missing out," said Kerstin Gilg, the Maine Arts Commission coordinator of the ArtWalk Maine Summit.  "It's a great way to get out into your community, socialize and "'Buy Local.'"

The day-long summit is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coastal Enterprises Inc. at 30 Federal Street. The event will include a panel discussion followed by small group breakout sessions related to the triumphs and challenges of producing community events.

Artwalks gather artists, arts organizations, and community members in the celebration of the arts and cultural tourism within local communities. First Friday in Portland is the most attended Maine artwalk, but there are over a dozen additional walks that happen regularly throughout the state.

Each year Maine communities host over 80 artwalks that highlight world-class art museums, galleries, artist studios, revitalized mills, local businesses, restaurants, and even live performances. Some walks occur year-round every month, while others focus on a May to December timetable, and some are semi-random. While some walks are supported by the city, others rely on local organizations and individual contributions. All artwalks share a common interest in creating value for the local culture and economy.

The Artwalk Maine initiative was started in 2010 with support from the Maine Arts Commission, Maine Office of Tourism and The Maine Community Foundation. As part of the project, information from Maine communities hosting regularly scheduled artwalks, open studios, and gallery crawls is collected and posted to a dedicated website. In 2011 The Maine Arts Commission took over the administration of the site and became the primary contact for ArtWalk Maine.

For more information and event registration, visit: http://artwalkmaine.org/

The Maine Arts Commission supports artists, art organizations, educators, policy makers, and community developers in advancing the arts in Maine. For more than 50 years the Commission has encouraged and stimulated public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and cultural programs of our state; has worked to expand the state's cultural resources; and encouraged and assisted freedom of artistic expression for the well-being of the arts, to meet the needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state. Additional information is available at mainearts.com.

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