Maine shares a state border with New Hampshire and an international border with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Québec. Maine also has an ocean border with the Atlantic on the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy. These territorial features have allowed for active international relationships to develop within our state. Since 2010 the Maine/ New Brunswick Cultural Exchange Task Force has supported a number of projects. 

2018 - The Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA) of Eastport, Maine co-published the architecture book, Eastport with Anchorage Press of Jolicure, New Brunswick. The 216-page hardbound book contains 175 black and white photographs and six thematic essays on the architecture, landscape and community of Eastport.

2018 - New Brunswick ceramic artist Darren Emenau exhibited works at the University of Maine Museum of Art in the exhibition Olio from September – December 2018. The work produced for the exhibition was the result of a Creation Grant from the New Brunswick Arts Board.

2018 - Maine and New Brunswick meeting in conjunction with the inaugural Abbe Museum Indian Market in Bar Harbor. Meeting focus on indigenous populations. Presentation on the Abbe Museum by Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko and members provided updates on initiatives and exciting news from their organization and regions.

2017 - Taskforce meeting with a connection to the East Coast Music Awards conference. iSaint John, New Brunswick; delegates from Canada, the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, providing the opportunity to showcase Atlantic Canadian artists to international agents, event and festival programmers, film and music supervisors and media representatives.

2017- The New Brunswick new Percent for Art public art pilot launch. This was done after lengthy consultation with the Maine Arts Commission and borrowing from the Maine model for percent for art facilitation /administration. From the success of this, New Brunswick is working towards adopting a percent for art police for the entire province.

2016 - Maine International Conference on the Arts: Canadian arts delegates attended the Maine International Conference on the Arts in Lewiston Maine. The conference mission was to bolster the resources available to artists, arts organizations and community networks through the convening of professionals and the offering of development sessions and cross discipline collaboration opportunities.

2016 - Contemporary Currents Exhibit: The result of a partnership between the University of Maine Museum of Art and the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage & Culture. The majority of works featured were acquired for the collection of its long-standing Art Bank program. Featured artists included Erik Edson, Darren Emenau, Mathieu Léger, Neil Rough, Stephen Scott, Anne-Marie Sirois, Dan Steeves, Anna Torma and Istvan Zsako

2015 - Launch of Two Nation Vacation Initiative: A five year partnership between the Maine and New Brunswick tourism offices. "A visit to Canada and the United States allows you to explore the history and culture shared by these two regions while experiencing the breathtaking scenery, unique culinary fusions, and the warm hospitality of these two neighboring countries during one fun-filled trip."

2014 - Songs Beyond Borders Tour: The State of Maine and the Province of New Brunswick presented the Songwriters Circle: Songs Without Borders. This event brought  singer-songwriters together on one stage: Denny Breau and Josée Vachon, from Maine and Caroline Savoie and Danny Boudreau from New Brunswick. Performances took place in  Edmundston NB,  Fort Kent ME and Rockland ME. 

2014 - World Acadian Congress: The World Acadian Congress is held every five years in different regions populated by Acadians. The August 2014 gathering was staged in northern Maine, northwestern New Brunswick and the Temiscouata region of Quebec this event has attracted more than 50,000 visitors for the two week celebration featuring more than 300 events.

2013 - Maine International Conference on the Arts: Canadian arts delegates attended the Maine International Conference on the Arts at the Collins Center on the University of Maine at Orono campus. The conference mission was to bolster the resources available to artists, arts organizations and community networks through the convening of professionals and the offering of development sessions, networking opportunities, artist showcases, and cross discipline collaboration opportunities.

2013 - Crossroads International Celtic Festival (Acadian Showcase): An Acadian delegation, in partnership with the festival, hosted an industry showcase and trade mission event to meet with potential American buyers and other music industry professionals. The trade mission organizer and cultural attachée at the Strategy for Promoting Acadian Artist on the International Markets.

2012 - Visual Artist Reciprocal Exchange: A pilot program to provide professional visual artists with residency opportunities in both Maine and New Brunswick. Objectives were to encourage artist development, strengthen ties between creators and communities, and identify new artistic creation, production, and presentation networks.

2012 - Portland Ballet in Saint John NB: The Portland Ballet Company was given assistance for the touring of the production Giselle. The ballet opened at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John, New Brunswick.

2011 - "Bon à Tirer" Exchange: "Bon à Tirer" which means "fit to print" is an artist exchange that included established printmakers and master printers from the U.S. and Canada creating and producing limited edition prints. A "Bon à Tirer" video was created as part of this project.

2011 - Juice Conference Taskforce Inclusion: Including of New Brunswick arts leaders at the Juice Conference for a public meeting and public presentation about Maine-New Brunswick exchange initiatives. 

2011 - International Biathlon Trials Support:  Support the cultural festivals being produced for the international Biathlon World Cup’s in Presque Isle and Fort Kent. These Aroostook communities welcomed as many as 35,000 visitors (including up to 3,000 members of the European press and television) for this Olympic trial of skiing and shooting.

2010 - ME-NB Block Booking Summit as Part of Contact East: A meeting between New England Presenters and the Atlantic Presenters Association on developing partnerships to increase cultural exchange between performing arts organizations in New England and Maritime Canada. 

2010 - Over The Edge- ME-NB Cultural Exchange Conference: A gathering of performing arts professionals from Canadian provinces and the New England states to improve cultural exchange and:

• Create time and space to  build partnerships, and share information about booking practices.
• Encourage conversations about bringing arts and culture into business and trade.
• Inform the regional and national conversation around artist work visas and artist travel.