The Maine Arts Commission supports all efforts to promote arts learning. Arts education is a major focus of the Maine Arts Commission and a nationwide movement aiming to provide all students with opportunities to learn in and through the arts (dance, music, theater, visual arts and creative writing). Methods for reaching this goal include providing discipline-specific, sequential learning opportunities; integrating the arts into all curricular content areas; programs in institutions and detention centers; programs in child care centers; and after-school programs.
Arts Education Programs
Learn more about Arts Education Programs, including the Teaching Artist Program, Maine Excellence in Arts Education, Poetry Out Loud, the Congressional Art Competition, the Maine Arts Education Partners in Leadership, and Arts Education Grants.
PK-12 Teaching Artist Roster
The Maine Arts Commission offers a free online teaching artist roster featuring Maine-based professional artists, with skills and experience teaching learners of various ages, including grades PK-12. The Teaching Artists are available to conduct high-quality learning opportunities for students in school settings and community organizations that offer arts education. We encourage educators and those responsible for arts education to utilize the roster by communicating directly with the Teaching Artists. View the current PK-12 Teaching Artist Roster here.
What is a Teaching Artist?
Teaching Artists are professional artists who are dedicated to lifelong learning and arts education, have made it an integral part of their professional practice, and who have cultivated skills as educators in concert with their skills as artists.
Successful applicants demonstrate:
- Mastery of an artistic discipline
- Knowledge and expertise in sequential arts instruction
- Good communication skills
- Planning and organizational ability
- Understanding of PK-12 learners
Please note: This opportunity is provided to teaching artists who are not employed by one particular school in an ongoing teaching situation.
Maine Excellence in Arts Education
The Maine Arts Commission honors arts education by curating an annual student art exhibit featured throughout the Maine State House Complex. Maine Excellence in Arts Education recognizes the high quality of visual and performing arts by hosting a celebration that includes a reception for students and teachers alike.
Please consider submitting your students' artwork. The exhibition guidelines are located here. If you are interested in displaying artwork, please contact Director of Arts Education Martha Piscuskas at martha.piscuskas@maine.gov.
Exhibit the Excellence in Arts Education 2018
Congratulations to the 160 students from SeDoMoCha (Dover-Foxcroft) and Marshwood (Eliot) Middle Schools, and the 36 students and their art teachers representing nine Maine schools honored at the Maine State House Hall of Flags on December 11, 2018.
MAINE'S 2021-2022 POETRY OUT LOUD PROGRAM
The Maine Arts Commission is proud to partner once again with the National Endowment for the Arts to give Maine schools the opportunity to participate in Poetry Out Loud in 2021-2022. Register your school for the 2021-2022 Poetry Out Loud program here: https://forms.gle/EUaoNjTqJqBPqLcp8
About Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation.
2021 Congressional Art Award Winners
The Maine Arts Commission is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition:
This year's top finishers by district include:
1st District: Winner: Elwen Benard of Baxter Academy. First Runner Up: Fiona Jason of Baxter Academy, Second Runner Up: Kaitlyn Sawicki of Freeport High School. Honorable Mention: Della Huntley of Baxter Academy. Honorable Mention: Alexis Milem of Thornton Academy. Honorable Mention: Kaylee Demers of Falmouth High School.
2nd District: Winner: Whitney Perkins. First Runner Up: Sophia Carson of Edward Little High School, Second Runner Up: Ella Shaffer of Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Honorable Mention: Lexi Bachelder. Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Honorable Mention: Ruoxuan Zhang of Lee Academy, Honorable Mention: Addaline Hemmingway of Rangeley Lakes Regional School.
The Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition every year to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each congressional district. Since this competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated, according to the U.S. House of Representatives website.
Both first place students will have their artwork on display at the U.S. Capitol for one year and will be offered respective scholarships to attend Maine College of Art in Portland. All recognized artwork will be on exhibit at the Maine State House in Augusta during the spring of 2020.
Program Contact Information
For information about any of the Maine Arts Commission’s arts education funding opportunities or programs, please contact Martha Piscuskas, Program Director at vog.eniam@saksucsip.ahtram or 207/287-2750.
