Professional Development Retreat

The Maine Arts Commission in partnership with the Maine College of Art is offering a chance for artists to take part in a two-day Creative Capital professional development retreat in Portland in mid-September. Day one, on September 15, will be devoted to business development, financial planning and negotiating/communicating. The following day will offer training on targeted marketing, personalized website reviews and promotional case studies.

The retreat is intended for serious professional artists who have reached a point of stasis in their career and are seeking to hone their professionalism and construct a personal strategic plan which will enable them to proceed in the most effective manner through goal setting, time management, effective communications and promotion, personal evaluation, networking etcetera.

The first two sessions on Saturday are free to everyone, but you must RSVP to attend. The full two-day retreat, a $660 value, is offered for $10, the remainder is covered by the Maine Arts Commission. There is a juried process to attend and full details of this are on MaineArts.com.

The deadline for applications is August 15.

WERU Launches Maine Arts Alive Radio Series

Two staff members of the Maine Arts Commission were joined by an artist and community organizer this week to help launch a new radio segment on WERU radio called “Maine Arts Alive.”

Agency Acting Director Darrell Bulmer, and Donna McNeil, Programs and Policy Director were joined by Kimberly Callas from the Belfast Creative Coalition to discuss some of key topics in the arts as they relate to creativity, funding and the economy.

The hour-long segment raised some interesting talking points and helped to explain some of the policies and procedures of the Maine Arts Commission, while highlighting some of the key successes of its grant programs.

Hosted by Michael Donahue the show is set to continue with guests appearing each week to discuss the arts in Maine. You can listen to the audio below.

Maine Arts Commission Call for Art

The Maine Arts Commission, in partnership with Alpha One Independent Living Center, invites artists with disabilities to submit two dimensional artwork to be displayed during our October 23 networking and mentoring event, COMPASS READINGS, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, Maine. The summit will provide artists with disabilities the tools needed to compete in the marketplace.

Approximately 15 works of art will be placed on view during the conference. Participation will be juried. Only work by artists with disabilities will be considered for the exhibit. To participate in the exhibit, artists must submit their work as a JPEG in an e-mail attachment to: Keith Ludden, Accessibility Coordinator, Maine Arts Commission, keith.ludden@maine.gov.

This call is for two dimensional artwork only. We prefer artwork that fits the maximum dimension of 18” x 24.” When submitting smaller artwork, we ask that it be mounted on an 18” x 24 mat or poster board.

Acceptable categories: Paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.);Drawings (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers); Collage (must be two-dimensional);Prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints);Mixed media (use of more than two mediums); Computer generated art;Photography

Deadline for Entries: Close of business (5:00 pm), Friday, September 21

The Maine Arts Commission is pleased to provide framing. There is a combined maximum thickness of 3/16” for artwork and mat together. The artwork can be exhibited vertically or horizontally. We are unable to mat, unmat or resize submitted artwork without the permission of the artist. Artwork submitted that does not adhere to our dimensional guidelines will be excluded from the exhibition. The Maine Arts Commission reserves the right to exclude artwork from the exhibition at our discretion.

To be considered for review, work must be submitted in digital format. Actual artwork will not be accepted for review. For further information, please contact Keith Ludden, Accessibility Coordinator, Maine Arts Commission, 207/287-2713 or keith.ludden@maine.gov.

Image format must be a digital or scanned image saved as a JPEG with resolution of 300 dpi or higher at 5 x 7”. When you save your image, use the following naming conventions to name your file:

• Artist name_title of image_year of work (Example: JaneDoe_Untitled_2012.jpg) • Maximum of 72 characters in the file name • Name cannot contain any spaces or characters other than letters, numbers, underscore or hyphen.

Entries will be accepted as email attachments only and should be sent to Keith Ludden at keith.ludden@maine.gov.

Please put “Compass Readings Submission” in the subject line on your e-mail, and include the following information in the body of the e-mail:

The artist’s name Title of the image Year of the work

The final decision regarding the suitability of the artwork for the exhibit will be made by a panel of qualified persons assembled by the Accessibility Coordinator. Artists chosen for the exhibit will be notified by the Accessibility Coordinator.

NEA Placemaking Grant and Webinars (Grant Deadline August 9)

National Endowment for the Arts: Art Works Design Grants. Funding typically ranges from $10,000 to $100,000.

The application deadline for all design projects is August 9, 2012. The earliest beginning date for the Arts Endowment's period of support is June 1, 2013.

The Art Works category provides support for projects that address the following outcomes:

• Creation: The creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence
• Engagement: Public engagement with diverse and excellent art
• Learning: Lifelong learning in the arts 
• Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts

Also from the Endowment: NEA, webinars on creative placemaking about current trends, challenges and policies in the field will take place at 4pm EST and feature panelists that served on the Our Town review panel.

July 24: Creative Placemaking through Design and Cultural Planning
July 31: Creative Placemaking through Arts Engagement

To join a webinar: http://www.arts.gov/national/ourtown/2012-discussion-webinars.html
Grant Guidelines: http://arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/DesignAW.html
How to Apply: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/DesignAW2.html

Questions: Contact Jen Hughes, Design Specialist, hughesj@arts.gov or 202.682.5547

Poetry Out Loud Re-Broadcast

In case you missed it the first time, MPBN will be rebroadcasting the Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finals Monday, July 23, 10:00 pm and Sunday, July 29, 03:00 pm.

Presented by Maine Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. The Maine Poetry Out Loud competition finals were held at Bates College in Lewiston on March 23, 2012. The champion went on to Washington DC to compete in the National Finals.

Portland Artist Selected for International Exchange Program

Two professional artists have been selected for funding through a new international cultural exchange program that provides opportunities for creation and professional development in Maine and New Brunswick.


Shoshannah White from Portland and Mathieu Léger from Moncton, New Brunswick are the first artists to receive funding through the Maine/New Brunswick Residency Fund. White will be undertaking a three month photography project on the island of Grand Manan in New Brunswick, while Léger will be working with the Bakery Photographic Collective in Westbrook Maine for the same period of time.

White, recently recognized by Americans for the Arts as one of the nation’s top public artists in 2012, was overjoyed to hear that she had been selected to participate in this program.

“I'm absolutely thrilled about this opportunity. It is a wonderful, mutually beneficial collaboration where I will have the gift of extended time to create work at the Swallowtail Keepers Society Lighthouse while giving back in the form of artwork, volunteer time and promotion of their program,” said White. “In addition to delving into new work on this rugged, raw and beautifully exposed island, I'll have a chance to connect with a new community as well as the associated Whale/Seabird Research Station. Really, there are endless possibilities surrounding this exciting, cross-border exchange.”

Laurie Murison, Chair of the Swallowtail Keepers Society, is grateful for the opportunity to both support an artist and to begin an artist in residence program at the historic lighthouse, “This fabulous location will allow Shoshannah to pursue her artistic interests, and in return she will be able to help us develop our program for future artists. This program will also allow us to strengthen collaborations with other island groups, such as our art gallery, museum and Whale & Seabird Research Station.”

This is the inaugural year where the Maine Arts Commission has formed a partnership with New Brunswick Arts Board to create an artist residency program. Artists from either Maine or New Brunswick can apply for up to $10,000 to cover a one-to-three month residency for a creation-based or professional development project outside of their participating state or province.. Artists participating in this program enjoy complete autonomy and define the objectives of their period of residence and elaborate the parameters and conditions governing its realization in collaboration with an arts or community organization in the territory where the period of residence is to take place.

The next deadline for the Maine/New Brunswick Residency Fund is April 5, 2013; full details are available on the Maine Arts Commission’s website at MaineArts.com.

Saco Museum Seeks Director

The Saco Museum seeks an experienced museum professional to provide leadership and creative vision for this regional museum of history, art, and culture.

The Director curates and coordinates exhibitions; generates revenue through grant funding, corporate sponsorships, donor cultivation, gift shop management, and assistance with the annual fund and fundraising events; provides public relations and publicity; manages the museum budget; and supervises and schedules a small staff, including an Education and Program Manager and a Collections Manager. The Museum Director plans for the museum’s ongoing sustainability (under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Dyer Library Association), including achieving and maintaining the high professional standards of the museum field.The Dyer Library Association, operating the museum and a public library, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3).

Requirements: 5 years leadership experience in a museum setting required; Master’s Degree in a related field desired. Salary commensurate with experience. 80% health insurance coverage, 10 paid holidays, 19 days personal time in the first year.

Send cover letter, resume, and names, phone numbers, and emails of three professional references by August 18 to Leslie Rounds, Executive Director, Dyer Library/Saco Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072, lrounds@dyer.lib.me.us.

Arts Internships in Maine!

The Maine Arts Commission has compiled a comprehensive list of Maine arts organizations that offer opportunities for students seeking internships. The list can be found on the Maine Arts Commission intern pages.

If you have regular opportunities for interns and are not listed, you can be added by completing a short questionnaire. The agency will add your organization to the listings and then provide your contact details to interns who are actively seeking opportunities.

Internship Questionnaire

People seeking internship opportunities can use this resource to find appropriate placement. Interested parties should go to the listings page, or the page of full postings to see what is available, and can contact organizations directly.

A special thanks to all of the organizations who have already listed. The response to this initiative has been overwhelming.

 

Maine Business Survey - For Arts Business Too!

The 2012 Maine Business Survey is now up and running. Governor Paul LePage and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development want to hear from as many Maine businesses as possible. This includes businesses in the arts sector, so please contribute to the data if you can.

The feedback generated over the next several weeks will help drive economic policy decisions which will have a direct impact on the bottom line of the Maine Economy. “Businesses are being given a unique opportunity to influence Maine’s future business climate and their very own profitability,” said DECD Commissioner, George Gervais.

The online survey, consisting of approximately 40 questions, asks businesses to rate everyday challenges from attracting and retaining employees to overall infrastructure needs. The questionnaire also digs deeper into specific policy areas such as workforce development, regulation, access to capital and incentives, workers compensation and marketing. Individual responses to the survey will be confidential and included in an overall summary. Maine Businesses, our front line job creators, are being given a terrific opportunity to tell state leaders what needs to be done.

To participate in the survey go to http://www.maine.gov/decd/survey/.

 

Dahlov Ipcar Receives the Farnsworth 2012 Maine In America Honor.

The Farnsworth Art Museum announced Dahlov Ipcar as the recipient of the 2012 Maine in America award in the seventh year of the honor. The Farnsworth Art Museum’s Presidents Council annually recognizes an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Maine’s role in American art.

The previous winners of the Maine in America award include John Wilmerding (2006), Andrew Wyeth (2007), Will Barnet (2008), Robert Indiana (2009), Alex Katz (2010) and Paul Caponigro (2011).

Since her first solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1939, Ipcar’s works have been collected by art institutions that include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York City. Her work is in collections of the leading art museums of Maine, as well as in many corporate and private collections throughout the country. In 1972, Ipcar and her husband Adolph together received the Maine Governor’s Award for “significant contributions to Maine in the broad field of the arts and humanities.” She has also received honorary degrees from The University of Maine and Colby and Bates colleges.

For the original article go to the  PRWeb website:

Seeking Development Staff.

There seems to be a number of development positions available at arts organizations this month. Here are some listings:


Portland Stage Company - Development Director 
Portland Stage Company, a 38-year-old professional Equity theater with a $2.1 million budget, is seeking a Director responsible for development, improvement, and implementation of all aspects of a successful, comprehensive Development Program for Portland Stage.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent writing and public speaking ability, be an effective manager, and be a talented business strategist with proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with the community, donors, and board members. Qualifications include Bachelor’s Degree and non-profit management experience. Arts organization experience a plus.

For a complete job description, and more information about the Company and its programs, go to www.portlandstage.org. Applications will be reviewed beginning July 13, 2012

Center for Furniture Craftsmanship - Development Coordinator 
The Development Coordinator is responsible for administering development activities at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, including individual, corporate, and foundation giving. This is a part-time position (10-15 hour/week on average) that requires initiative and problem-solving skills, as well as an ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines. Evening hours are occasionally required for special events and openings.

More Information here: http://woodschool.org/opportunities/employment-opportunities

To Apply To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references with telephone contact information to kat@woodschool.org.

Portland Symphony Orchestra - Development Coordinator 
The Development Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination of Development Office needs including scheduling donor meetings for the Executive Director and Director of Development; managing logistics for patron engagement events; working as a team player with the Development staff to accomplish the Symphony’s financial goals.

The Development Coordinator will work closely with Symphony leadership, including members of the Board of Trustees, to build relationships with patrons. A deep understanding of the PSO’s programs and passion for the Symphony’s service to the community is essential.

More information can be found here: http://www.portlandsymphony.org/content/about/employment/

To Apply Please send resume, cover letter and salary history by Friday, July 20th to: Portland Symphony Orchestra Attn: Leah Robertson, Director of Development P.O. Box 3573 Portland, ME 04104 Email: lrobertson@portlandsymphony.org

 

Don't Miss The Annual Native American Festival July 7.

Annual Native American Festival  and Basketmakers Market will be held Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm at the College of the Atlantic Campus in Bar Harbor and is free and open to the public. This year, 2012 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow Molly Neptune Parker will be present.

The day-long event includes Native music, dance, storytelling, craft demonstrations and food. This popular event draws a wide variety of enthusiastic visitors year after year ranging from professional basket collectors to vacationers to local residents. Co-hosted by the Abbe Museum, the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, and the College of the Atlantic, the festival is considered Maine's largest annual gathering of Native American artists. Meet the artists while learning about and purchasing Wabanaki baskets, carvings, beadwork, dolls and other of handmade items.

 Enjoy easy access to the College of the Atlantic on the free  Island Explorer Shuttle bus.

For information, call 207/288-3519 or visit www.abbemuseum.org

 

The Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts Grant

Round 7 of The Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts, designed and managed by EmcArts, with the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The Lab is a 12-month program that helps performing arts organizations incubate and test innovative strategies to address major adaptive challenges.

The Round 7 Application deadline is Thursday, August 9, 2012.

Most arts institutions operate using constantly stretched resources and consequently struggle to implement truly new ideas. At the same time, however, the capacity of American arts organizations to innovate—to find new pathways to mission fulfillment that are discontinuous from previous practice and that result from shifts in underlying organizational assumptions—is and will be a leading indicator of sustained marketplace success and viability.

The Innovation Lab was designed to serve as a catalyst for the journey to these new pathways: to help arts organizations challenge core operating assumptions, engage in intense planning on a practical innovation project, create a sense of organization-wide investment in change, and test innovative strategies with grants that help organizations prototype new practices.

Click to download the Round 7 Request for Proposals and the Press Release! MORE INFO HERE.

For clarification about the Lab program as a whole, please contact Liz Dreyer (ldreyer@emcarts.org), preferably by e-mail, and she will answer your questions.

Lincoln Theater Seeks Executive Director

Lincoln Theater (Damariscotta ME) is seeking an Executive Director.

The position reports to the Board of Trustees and is is responsible for leadership of Lincoln Theater, which includes the programming, administrative, operating, fundraising, and marketing functions within the budget approved by the Board of Trustees.

The ED oversees the design, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products, and services of Lincoln Theater, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers. The ED is expected to further the mission of Lincoln Theater “to be the major community resource for the promotion and production of the performing arts” and to deliver upon the annually established Plan of Work. The position is a salaried full-time role and includes benefits.

To learn more about the theater please visit:  www.atthelincoln.org 
For a detailed position description, including qualifications and skill requirements, please visit  http://www.atthelincoln.org/lincoln-theater-staff.aspx

To apply,  please submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample of which you are the sole author, and the names and contact information for three references electronically to Chairman, Lincoln Theater Executive Director Search Committee, at info@atthelincoln.org.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.