Two days of convening will include inspiring keynote presentations, networking opportunities, cross discipline conversations between leaders of Maine’s creative, business, and policy sectors, interactive workshops geared toward professional and policy development, lively performances by some of Maine's top artists, and a chance to explore the creative communities of Lewiston and Auburn.

--- October 6 and 7 ---

Gendron Franco Center

and the Bates Mill Complex

Keynotes and Featured Speakers

We are excited to announce the two keynote speakers for MICA 2016 will be Crystal Williams and Sherry Wagner-Henry from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration. Our keynotes will join other key presenters—including Arts Education keynote speaker, teacher and writer Cheryl Hulteen, many Maine artists and presenters, plus national presenters Matt Lehrman of Audiences Everywhere, and Crista Cloutier of The Working Artist and Pam Breaux of the National Association of State Arts Agencies -  to make your 30 hours in Lewiston/Auburn the most exciting cultural convening of the year. Find Out More

Workshops and Development Sessions

Breakout sessions will be offered in five tracks that mirror the Commission’s priorities as outlined in its new Cultural Plan, “Fortifying Maine’s Creativity and Culture.”  Each of the five tracks--Leveraging Investment, Increasing Visibility, Fostering Arts Education/Lifelong Learning, Encouraging Cultural Tourism, and Building Capacity--will include hands on, nuts and bolts professional development sessions such as The Life Cycle of an Organization, Strategic Social Media Partnerships, and The Economic Impact of the Arts; in addition to a cross-discipline funders panel, innovative pitch sessions around cultural tourism, and workshops on Creative Aging/intergenerational programming, STEAM, and unlocking creativity.  Find Out More 

Performances

The MICA conference represents a singular and remarkable opportunity for artists to showcase work and to share and book talent. The Commission has created two networking hubs at the Bates Mill. The conference schedule in many ways prioritizes and creates informal opportunities for networking as much as it does for formal session attendance. Artists, agents, managers, talent buyers, vendors and other service providers will have the space and encouragement to connect with attendees and promote their wares. And audience members will have the chance to be delighted by the many pop-up performances that highlight Maine’s best talent. Find Out More 

The Lewiston and Auburn Community 

The Commission has partnered with the communities of Lewiston-Auburn and Arts and Culture LA (ACLA) to provide conference attendees with multiple opportunities to experience the vibrant cultural life and deeply creative industrial heritage of the twin cities. Attendees will have two opportunities during the day Friday for guided walking tours of the cities, and on Thursday evening will be treated to a specially-curated selection of community opportunities after the opening reception and keynote. Find Out More 

Idea Lab Presentations

The Idea Lab at the Maine International Conference on the Arts will start the day off with a BANG of inspiration. The Lab highlights the innovations of five Maine artists working in a variety of artistic disciplines. Starting at 8:15 AM on Friday, the artists will present their work in a pecha kucha-style presentation: 20 timed slides x 20 seconds each for individual and no longer than 7 minutes each. Taken with coffee, it’s the way to launch you on your day. Featured artists will be Marcia Donahue (Visual Arts), Nancy Froelich (Arts Education), Salim Salim (Literature), Sarah Sockbeson (Traditional Arts) and Daniel Sonenberg (Performing Arts). Find Out More.