Portland, ME | September 27-28, 2018
University of Southern Maine, Abromson Community Education Center
Join us for the third biennial Maine International Conference on the Arts, where we will explore art making, arts education, capacity-building strategies and skills, and more—all specifically for Maine artists, arts educators, and arts organizations.
Please turn off your popup blockers before trying to register. For registration support, please contact Michelle Seguin at USM, (207)780-5960.
Registration Pricing & Info
Thursday Pre-Conferences:
Friday Conference:
Thursday, September 27 | Pre-Conferences & Opening Reception
8:00 AM ~ The 2018 Maine State Teacher of the Year, Kaitlin Young, will provide an engaging keynote at the Arts Education Pre-Conference: At the HEART of Arts Education and provide seeds of inspiration to help you create action steps for your work at the school and/or community level. Attend as individuals or consider bringing a team from your school and/or community. The day will start and conclude with creative art and music making.
12:00 PM ~ Rural Arts Development Pre-Conference – Maine is the most rural state in the nation. Therefore, we have more unique challenges in our cultural sector with regard to sustainability, audience development, communications and connectivity. This Pre-Conference will provide hands-on advice, models to emulate and a space to have those conversations that are unique to artists and arts organizations functioning in our rural environment here in Maine. Don’t miss this opportunity!
4:00 PM ~ Opening Reception: A celebration of the arts with Keynote Speaker Maryo Gard Ewell – Rural Community Development in and Through the Arts
Friday, September 28 | Maine Arts Awards
12:00 PM ~ ArtsEngageME is pleased to be partnering with the Maine Arts Commission on the inaugural Maine Arts Awards - a brand new program to recognize and celebrate the arts in our communities. Awardees will be recognized for their substantial contributions made in Maine that exemplify a long-term commitment to the arts. Each awardee in seven categories will be given a work of art commissioned especially for the Maine Arts Awards by Molly Neptune Parker, a fourth generation Passamaquoddy basketweaver and National Heritage Fellow.
Friday, September 28 | Conference
8:15 AM ~ Maine Artists Idea Lab: Five speakers using the fast-paced and engaging pecha kucha-style format will knock your socks off with their newest innovations. Speakers include:
20 Professional Development Sessions in 5 Tracks Running Concurrently:
LEVERAGING INVESTMENT. Learn to attract and leverage greater investment through corporate sponsorships, development planning, capitalization and more.
BUILDING CAPACITY. All you need to know on strategies for sustainability and increased impact, from an intensive on strategic planning with Julie Richard to a session on The Role of the Arts in Communities in Crisis.
VISIBILITY OF THE ARTS & CULTURAL SECTOR. Discuss ways to increase awareness of creative opportunities, as well as their value to communities and local economies. Participate in a new, two-part workshop by MICA 2016 superstar Matt Lehrman, Opportunity Everywhere, Parts I & II. Or attend a dynamic session hosted by DataArts/The Cultural Data Project on ways to connect your data to stories about your mission and impact, for more effective communications with key stakeholders.
ARTS EDUCATION & LIFELONG LEARNING. Participate in sessions on fostering PK-12 arts education and lifelong learning programs, including Creative Aging and Traditional Arts.
PROMOTING CULTURAL TOURISM. Gather the information you need to enhance experiences and leverage cultural tourism. Hear from organizations on their successes creating experiences outside of traditional venues, or attend a Rural Community Arts Development session facilitated by Maryo Gard Ewell.
Pop-up performances throughout the day.
Thank you to our sponsors:
