Thank You Letter

The Maine Arts Commission received this thank you letter this morning:


October 21,2011
Hermon Middle School
29 Billings Road
Hermon, ME 04401

C/O Angela Molino
Ticket to Ride: Maine Arts Commission

Dear Angela,

It is with deep appreciation that I write this letter. Yesterday, I along with our K-8 art instructor, Mrs. Rachel Case, were able to accompany twelve identified gifted and talented visual art students to the University Of Maine Museum Of Art in downtown Bangor. The morning was spent analyzing art in various forms, from poetry to sketch. I was particularly struck by one student, who could not finish the tour because he was so focused on his work. We simply allowed him to remain in his artistic space and collected him at the end of the tour. Many students commented on how they were amazed that a Bangor museum had a Picasso! “How many kids can go home today and say they saw a Picasso?” one student marveled. My reply was, “Twelve!” And that is because of the funding provided through this program. The afternoon was spent learning about various watercolor techniques and talking about art. After lunch we took a short walk to a local artist, Andrea Hand’s studio. She shared with us the joys and challenges of being a full time artist and answered questions from our students. This experience provided students with hands on activities and critical learning that would not have been other wise gained. I can not express in words the powerful experience we had, but instead offer a heart felt thank you.

Warm Wishes,
Marcy Soucy; GT Consultant for the Hermon School District


There are limited funds left to fund student travel for your school. Please visit our website for full details of the Ticket to Ride program.

Maine Arts Commission Announces Grant Program for Student Travel

The Maine Arts Commission today announced the launch of a new grant program that provides critical funding for schools seeking to transport students to arts venues and events in Maine in support of their education.

With start-up funding provided by the Jane B. Cook 1992 Charitable Trust and matched by the Maine Arts Commission, the Ticket to Ride grant program will provide funding to defray the cost of travel for Maine K-12 schools wishing to attend arts venues and events as a part of a well rounded curriculum. Beginning in January 2011, any K-12 school in Maine will be eligible to apply for one grant of up to $300 each school year. Any K-12 school in Maine with a documented free and reduced lunch student population of 50 percent or greater will be eligible to apply for one grant of up to $500 each school year.

The Ticket to Ride grant program will provide transportation funding on a first-come first-served basis until all available funds have been dispersed. Those wishing to apply for this funding should visit the education section of www.MaineArts.com.

The Maine Arts Commission is currently working to secure additional funding in order to provide for the longevity of the program. Parties interested in funding the Ticket to Ride program are asked to contact Arts in Education Associate John Holdridge, at john.holdridge@maine.gov.