Brief History

Five Rivers Arts Alliance grew out of two local arts Discovery Research projects, designed to research and inventory local arts, culture and heritage. More than 1,100 artists, cultural institutions, museums, performing arts groups and local historical societies were identified in this region when the projects were completed around the year 2000. These initiatives in turn, grew into Brunswick Area Arts & Cultural Alliance (BAACA) and Greater Bath Cultural Resources (GBCR).

BAACA was founded in 1998 “to strengthen the communities of the Brunswick area by increasing awareness, knowledge, education, appreciation, participation, and support for the arts and cultural activities.” It organized several annual events, including the Family Arts Festival and Arts Downtown & All Around and collaborated with GBCR on a number of initiatives, including the Arts Around Us calendar, begun in 2000, and Bath-Brunswick Cultural Map & Guide, published in 2002.

Richmond artists joined BAACA to offer art workshops at Richmond Days and the town collaborated on regional projects. In fall 2004 BAACA officially joined with GBCR to become Midcoast REACH. On May 1, 2006, as part of the expanded organization’s strategic planning process, the organization was re-named Five Rivers Arts Alliance.

Five Rivers Arts Alliance includes twelve midcoast Maine communities: Brunswick, Harpswell, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Woolwich, Arrowsic, and Georgetown. These communities were settled along Maine rivers and the coast. More than 60,000 individuals live here supporting vibrant downtowns and rural villages.

As part of our newly regional organization, Five Rivers Arts Alliance is updating its database of artists, businesses and nonprofits. This Creative Sector Survey can be filled out online at www.bowdoinham.com, or printed from the link below and mailed to us.

Printable Creative Sector Survey (PDF)