Arts Education Organization Appoints New Executive Director

The Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) has announced the appointment of Peter Alexander to serve as the organization’s executive director. Alexander, a well-known musician and organizer from Bath, was selected over a large field of candidates to lead the Alliance in the implementation of its new strategic plan, with a focus on advocacy and professional development for arts educators.

Alexander is one of the few people in the United States with a Masters Degree specializing in nonprofit advocacy and organization. He is an accomplished musician and has a long history of leadership in the fields of both the arts and environment. Since 2009 he has served as president of the Maine Songwriters Association ; he is the convener and leader of the Gulf of Maine Restoration Initiative; he served from 2009 - 2011 as president of Opportunity Maine; and he is a founding member and still serves on the board of the America’s Great Waters Coalition.

“I am really honored that the board of MAAE has selected me to lead the organization as we step up our efforts on behalf of arts education for all Maine’s students,” said Alexander. “Policy makers and school administrators too often underplay the importance of arts education, and these programs are usually the first to go when budgets get tight. We’re here to let our leaders know that arts education plays an enormously important role in our state’s economy and way of life and should be expanded, not diminished as we prepare our children for the 21st century skills they will need to lead successful and richly satisfying lives.”

MAAE is planning a reception to officially welcome Alexander on October 21 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at Slates Restaurant in Hallowell. Among the activities will be talks by Maine’s arts education leaders and performances by some of Maine’s outstanding music students. Members of the public are invited but, because space is limited, they must reserve a seat by writing to info@maineartsed.org.