Maine Arts Commission Publishes 2025 Arts Learning Summit Report  

Inside: key insights, discussions, and recommendations from the 2025 Maine Arts Learning Summit

AUGUSTA, MAINE—In recognition of National Arts in Education Week, established by Congress in 2010 to celebrate the transformative power of the arts in every child’s life, the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) are pleased to share the release of “Idea Exchange in an Emerging Ecosystem: A Report from the 2025 Maine Arts Learning Summit.” This report, funded by the Onion Foundation and now available on the Maine Arts Commission website, documents key insights, discussions, and recommendations from the 2025 Maine Arts Learning Summit, held on May 1 in Waterville. This event was the first statewide, in-person convening focused on arts education in Maine since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hosted by MAC, with support from the Maine DOE and many education, cultural, and community partners, the Summit brought together 100 participants representing 14 counties of Maine and beyond. Attendees included educators, artists, health professionals, funders of the arts, youth advocates, housing leaders, and public policy experts—reflecting the many ways that arts education connects across sectors.

Participants explored critical questions facing arts learning in Maine, highlighted bright spots from local communities, and envisioned a stronger, more connected ecosystem for the future. 

"When educators, artists, and community leaders gather to share ideas and imagine possibilities, it creates a momentum that can reshape the future of arts learning,” Amy Hausmann, Executive Director of MAC, said. “We are committed to carrying that energy forward and building structures that ensure creativity is an essential part of education and community well-being across our state.” 

Building on the themes raised at the Summit, the Maine DOE underscored the importance of ensuring that every student in Maine has access to meaningful arts learning experiences. 

"Arts learning is not just about creating; it’s about connection," Beth Lambert, Chief Teaching and Learning Officer at the Maine DOE, said. "When students engage in the arts, they build confidence, spark curiosity, and see new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Our commitment is to ensure those opportunities are available to every student, in every part of Maine." 

Next Steps and Commitments 

In response to the Summit’s recommendations, MAC and the Maine DOE are taking immediate steps to continue momentum, with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and measurable progress: 

• Goal 1: Launch a Statewide Communication Strategy 
  Shared newsletters and online updates will highlight progress, resources, and community stories. 
• Goal 2: Facilitate Regional Convenings 
  Beginning in early 2026, smaller peer-led gatherings will strengthen local networks and foster collaboration. 
• Goal 3: Develop a Shared Vision Framework 
  Co-created with partners, this flexible, living vision will guide collective field-building efforts and prioritize creativity as a connector across disciplines and communities. 

Looking Ahead 

The 2025 Arts Learning Summit highlighted the passion, resilience, and innovation of Maine’s arts education community. Participants called for stronger networks, sustainable funding, and bold visioning for the future.  

MAC and the Maine DOE are proud to respond together and invite educators, community members, and partners across all sectors to join this work. 

Download the full report: Idea Exchange in an Emerging Ecosystem.  

For media inquiries, please contact: 

• Maine Arts Commission – martha.piscuskas@maine.gov
• Maine Department of Education – Chloe Teboe, Director of Communications, at chloe.teboe@maine.gov.  

About the Maine Arts Commission 
The Maine Arts Commission fosters and encourages public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and artistic expression in our state. We pursue our mission through partnerships and collaborations, initiatives, advocacy, and grants for organizations, individual artists, communities, and schools throughout Maine. 

About the Maine Department of Education 
The Maine Department of Education is committed to ensuring high-quality learning experiences for all Maine students, including through robust and equitable arts education across the pre-K–grade 12 system.