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• Crossroads for Community Arts updates and links
• Find listings for Artist Development, Exhibit, Marketing, and Commission Opportunities:
  Visual Art and Craft, Theatre, Music, Business training, Other, Maine Arts Associations, Professional Development
• Creative Economy updates

New Post, May 6

HERITAGE DAYS BATH-ART IN THE PARK EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITY . The Kennebec Art Club invites you to exhibit your original fine art at Art in the Park during Bath Heritage Days 2008.  Dates for Art in the Park 2008 are Saturday, July 5, & Sunday, July 6, 2008, Rain or Shine.  Artists may exhibit original paintings, hand-pulled prints, drawings, photographs, mixed media, and sculpture.  Reproductions may be sold from bins or baskets only.
PDF of Art in the Park Aplication.

May 8: COPYRIGHT & CREATIVE SEMINAR: Film/Video and Music, with Spencer Albee and Mark Fisher. Creativity and copyright law are inextricably intertwined. Understanding how copyright law affects an artist’s ability to develop and disseminate her/his work—whether it is a painting, sculpture, graphic design, software program, film, television series or musical composition—is critical to operating any creative enterprise. Seminar features a creative expert and an expert lawyer. 3:30-5:00pm at the University of Maine School of Law in Portland. Students: $5; Community: $10; Attorneys seeking CLE: $20. Contact: Kathryn Masters at 874-6521, lawandinnovation.org <http://www.lawandinnovation.org>, mainecenterforcreativity.org <http://mainecenterforcreativity.org>. Spencer Albee is an American musician, producer, and front man of the Maine-based rock band As Fast As and keyboardist and signer for the band Rustic Overtones.

May 14. FREE MARKETING/E-MARKETING WORKSHOP FOR MAINE ARTS LEADERS, in Bangor, 9am-2pm.
Marketing is the most important tool to build awareness of your programs and services and can help you to reach new audiences and cultivate loyalty in those you already serve. This 4-hour workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of marketing with an emphasis on e-marketing tools and trends. Learn basic marketing concepts, such as the "4 Ps" of marketing (product, place, promotion, price), understand your audience better, and think about how to build participation in your programs. Emphasis will be placed on E-Marketing tools everyone in the arts can use: websites, listservs, e-newsletters and social networking. University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow Street, Bangor. Maren Brown, M.B.A. has over 20 years of experience in the field of arts management, primarily in museums (art, history and science museums) and higher education.  She is the founder of the Western Massachusetts Arts Alliance and serves as the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Education Arts Education Advisory Board.  She is the Director of Director of the Arts Extension Service at U. Mass Amherst. Pre-registration is required; send an email with contact info to info@fiveriversartsalliance.org, (subject line: ArtME workshop) or call Five Rivers Arts Alliance at 207-798-6964.  This workshop is co-sponsored by Five Rivers Arts Alliance, Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

May 20. “GETTING READY FOR THE BIG SHOWS” WORKSHOP
Are you an artist or craftsperson who wants to take the next big step? Are you interested in large wholesale and retail shows, but don't know how to start? A free workshop offered by Women, Work, and Community can help you learn about the steps you need to take. 3:30-5:pm, WWC office, UMA campus in Augusta. Panel: Patti Dowse of Erda Leather and Peter Myer of Giraffe Events. They both have experience with attending large shows and helping business owners to take advantage of large marketing opportunities. Pre-registration is required. Contact Wendy Rose at 1-800-442-2092 or wkrose@maine.edu.

JUNE 7: WRITING FOR MAINE MAGAZINES, Mobius Center, Business Route 1, Damariscotta. Maine Media Women will sponsor a panel presentation with Laurie Hyndman of Port City Life, Gretchen Piston Ogden at Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors and Merrill Williams of Maine Food & Lifestyle will address such topics as how their publications were started, who their audiences are, the types of material freelance writers can contribute and memorable anecdotes from their careers as editors. This program is open to the public. Doors open at 9:15 for coffee and networking, program runs from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Guests are welcome. Suggested donation: Members $3, guests $5. www.mainemediawomen.org <http://www.mainemediawomen.org>. Contact: Janice Lindsay at Janice@janice-lindsay.com or 207/563-6835.

JUNE 7, JUNE 13, JUNE 28: The Maine Crafts Association's new CENTER FOR MAINE CRAFT is recruiting Maine craft artists interested in selling, exhibiting, or promoting their craft work. The Center for Maine Craft is a 2500 square foot retail, exhibition, education, and tourism space for Maine Craft being built by the Maine Turnpike Authority at the new West Gardiner Travel Plaza on the Turnpike and Interstate. The Maine Crafts Association will operate the Center, opening in November of 2008. Jury sessions will be: Sat, June 7, 8am-8pm, Bangor; Friday June 13, 8am-7pm, Augusta; Saturday June 28, 8am-8pm, Portland. Contact www.mainecrafts.org <http://www.mainemediawomen.org>, info@mainecrafts.org, 207-564-0041.

ONGOING CLASSES: HALCYON YARNS, BATH offers fiber arts classes weekly. Complete listings at http://www.halcyonyarn.com/classes.html

July 21 & 22: SURFACE DESIGN WORKSHOP
Katherine Harman Harding is offering a one week workshop in Surface Design at her studio in Freeport, Osprey Cove Studio, under the auspices of MECA Continuing Education. Details at www.meca.edu/cs <http://www.meca.edu/cs>. The workshop, July 21-25, is eligible for CUs.

 

New Post, April 24, 2008

FREE MARKETING/E-MARKETING WORKSHOP OFFERED IN BANGOR, MAY 14, 9AM-2PM.
Marketing is the most important tool to build awareness of your programs and services and can help you to reach new audiences and cultivate loyalty in those you already serve. This 4-hour workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of marketing with an emphasis on e-marketing tools and trends. Learn basic marketing concepts, such as the "4 Ps" of marketing (product, place, promotion, price), understand your audience better, and think about how to build participation in your programs. Emphasis will be placed on E-Marketing tools everyone in the arts can use: websites, listservs, e-newsletters and social networking. University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow Street, Bangor. Maren Brown, M.B.A. has over 20 years of experience in the field of arts management, primarily in museums (art, history and science museums) and higher education.  She is the founder of the Western Massachusetts Arts Alliance and serves as the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Education Arts Education Advisory Board.  She is the Director of Director of the Arts Extension Service at U. Mass Amherst.  Brown will teach the May 14 Bangor session.
Pre-registration is required; send an email with contact info to info@fiveriversartsalliance.org, (subject line: ArtME workshop) or call Five Rivers Arts Alliance at 207-798-6964.  These workshops are co-sponsored by Five Rivers Arts Alliance, Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

A two day Viscosity Monotype Printmaking Workshop will be offered June 14 & 15 at Circling the Square Fine Art Press, in the Artdogs Building,located at 275 Water St, Gardiner, Maine, 04345.This workshop is an introduction to the colorful world of viscosity monotype printmaking. Emphasis on experimentation and development of ideas with the use of color, shape and mark.  During the workshop you will understand the principles of laying down inks in various viscosities (densities) with rollers of different durometers (hardness).  This method lets you layer colors in ways that combines the best of printmaking drawing and painting.  The inks are layered on top of each other and run through the press at one time. Use of stencils and chine colle will also be demonstrated for expanded color and shape development. Cost $130. Instructors: Karen Adrienne, MFA Printmaking, NIU, and Ellen Roberts, MFA Fiber, Cranbrook. Contact: 582-2108, www.theartdogs.com  Deadline for $30. deposit is May 23rd.

CALL FOR ARTISTS ! “10 x 10” BENEFIT SHOW ON 10/10/2008
The artists of Points of View Art Gallery and the volunteers of Arts Are Elementary invite area artists to submit original artwork to Brunswick’s first 10 x 10 benefit art show and sale on October 10 and 11, 2008. All accepted work will sell for $200. The artist receives $100 and $100 benefits Arts Are Elementary, a local nonprofit that provides artist in residence experiences to all Brunswick students in grades one – five. 

The 10 x 10 on 10/10 show opens Friday, October 10, running from 5pm-9pm to coincide with Brunswick’s Second Friday Art Walk. It continues on Saturday, October 11, from 10am-4pm. Art will hang in two gallery spaces on Pleasant Street in Brunswick; Morrell Meeting Room at Curtis Memorial Library at 23 Pleasant Street, and Points of View Gallery located in the Brunswick Business Center at 18 Pleasant Street.  Artists may submit between one and three pieces.  Size of work must fall within a 10-inch square format. Application deadline is June 1, 2008. Complete details at: Applications are available by contacting:

• Lucy Cooney of Arts Are Elementary, 721-8606, lhcooney@sucom-maine.net
• Judith Long of Points of View Gallery, 725-8920, yomtov@suscom-maine.net

OLD PORT FESTIVAL (40,000 attendees) is Sunday June 1, 2008 and is beginning a new dedicated Maine-made art and crafts area this year. Limited amount of spaces are available at a greatly reduced cost than our normal vendor spaces to Maine-based artists and craftspeople. You MUST have a home or studio space in the state of Maine to participate! Vendors are limited to a 10’x10’ space. Your products must be produced solely by you, no food products or reselling of non-handmade product will be permitted. Craft or art demonstrations are welcome! The cost to participate this year is $75 per artist. Please email elise@portlandmaine.com or call 772-6828 if you have questions or need more information! PDF- APPLICATION.Certificate of insurance for this area is not required. Please see the attached application.For more information about the festival please visit http://portlandmaine.com/index.php?sec=15&ssec=87

ANDROSCOGGIN BRUNSWICK TOPSHAM RIVERWALK SEEKS VOLUNTEER ARTIST TO DRAW MAP OF RIVERWALK ROUTE.  The Riverwalk will be a 1.25 mile, safe, fully-accessible path for walkers, runners and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.  It will run along the Androscoggin River between the Frank J. Wood (“Green”) Bridge and the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge in both Brunswick and Topsham with parking and access at several key gateways.  It will serve as a link between the two towns, providing an alternative route for residents who prefer walking or cycling to traveling by car.    Interested artists should contact Nancy Randolph at jstwrite@jstwrite.com

Project Summary: ANDROSCOGGIN BRUNSWICK-TOPSHAM RIVERWALK

The Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk will be a 1.25 mile, safe, fully-accessible path for walkers, runners and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.  It will run along the Androscoggin River between the Frank J. Wood (“Green”) Bridge and the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge in both Brunswick and Topsham with parking and access at several key gateways.  It will serve as a link between the two towns, providing an alternative route for residents who prefer walking or cycling to traveling by car.  Because of its location, it will be an inviting path for recreation and exercise before and after working hours and at lunch time for employees at Fort Andross, Bowdoin Mill Island and the many other businesses in downtown Brunswick and Topsham’s Lower Village.

The route of the Riverwalk, starting at Maine Street in Brunswick, will:

• Cross in front of Fort Andross, along Cabot Street to Bow Street,
• From Bow Street, pass by the NorthWest Brunswick neighborhood alongside Mill Street, closer to the river than the existing sidewalk and protected from traffic by a new safety buffer,
• From Mill Street, cross the river to the Topsham Heights neighborhood on the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge,  (Parking will be available at either end of the bridge, adjacent to the parks created when the bridge was restored.)
• From the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, pass through a lovely wooded area in Topsham, following the path of a “paper” street, Mill Road,
• Continue through a park and parking area to be created at the intersection of Mill Road and Summer Street,
• Follow Summer Street, where the existing sidewalk will be extended, to the back of the Border Trust Business Center at 2 Main Street, (Parking is available in the Topsham Lower Village.)
• At Border Trust, follow Summer Street to Main Street as a fully-accessible path, or extend along the edge of the river through a park to be built as part of the project and up a few steps to Main Street,
• At Main Street, Topsham, cross the Androscoggin River on the Green Bridge to Maine Street, Brunswick up to the starting point in front of Fort Andross.

The Riverwalk will be paved to ensure that it is fully-accessible in all seasons.   As necessary, existing sidewalks will be extended or improved.  Benches will be installed along the route, particularly at sites that provide spectacular views of the Androscoggin River and the communities across the river.  There will be directional signage along the route and informational signage at points of natural, historic or other significance.  New safety buffers will segregate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles in the more urban, high-traffic sections of the Riverwalk.  The Riverwalk will connect to the proposed Bridge-to-Bridge Trail in Topsham Heights that will run between the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge and the railroad bridge (“Black Bridge”).  Via Maine, by Mason and then Water Streets in Brunswick, it will connect to the Androscoggin Pedestrian and Bicycle Path that extends to Cook’s Corner.

The Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk Advisory Committee, comprised of residents of Topsham and Brunswick, is preparing an application for funding from the MaineDOT Quality Community Program that provides grants to help communities expand their transportation and quality community environments, including pedestrian and bicycle programs.  A MaineDOT grant will cover 80% of the cost of design and construction.  The Riverwalk Advisory Committee will raise the 20% local match through contributions from foundations, businesses, and individuals and donated in-kind services.  The restoration of the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge was largely funded by a similar grant from MaineDOT. 

Letters of support from a broad cross-section of the community will be a significant component of the grant application to MaineDOT, which is due June 6, 2008 for the 2009-2010 funding cycle. 

CLASSES

04/19 or 04/26, 9am-5pm. SPOONCARVING WITH LYNETTE BRETON, Harpswell.  In this one-day class, you will use a spokeshave to do all the preliminary outside shaping of a spatular type of utensil. Cost is $120.00 and includes the use of all tools and material. Plan to go home with a completed project ready to use.Contact: 725-9802, nettie@gwi.net

HALCYON YARNS, BATH offers fiber arts classes weekly.  Complete listings at http://www.halcyonyarn.com/classes.html

April 22.  BOOST YOUR WEBSITE TRAFFIC offered by Southern Midcoast Chamber of Commerce.  Designed for business owners, marketers and web designers.Leave with action items you canuse immediately to improve your rankings and be able to clearly articulate your online marketing strategy.  Presenter is Greg Breen, Director of Business Development, Network Solutions which offers a full suite of products and services to help customers establish and grow a successful Web presence. April 22, with your choice ofmorning (8-11:30 AM) or afternoon (12:30-4 PM) sessions atBorder Trust Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. The sessions are FREE, but you must register by calling 725-8797 or email.Seating is limited http://www.midcoastmaine.com/

New Post, April 2

Arts.

 MAINECREATES.COM IS FREE and open to any creative person, business or organization in Maine. The initial target audience includes over 75 creative work industry categories from artists (all mediums), engineers, scientists, non-profits, academia, entrepreneurs, small business owners, designers, architects, boat builders, software developers and technologists, advertisers, investors and many more.  Site launch date is May 1, 2008. MaineCreates.com was awarded a Seed Grant by the Maine Technology Institute, a state funded non-profit offering early-stage capital and commercialization assistance for the research and development of innovative technology based projects that create new products and services in Maine.

ART CLASSES
Lots of classes just announced at Merrymeeting Arts Center, Bowdoinham, including Needlefelting, Off the Loom Weaving, Illustrate (and Publish) your own Children’s Book, Knotted and Hooked Rug Making.  Contact: Nanette Giacoma at 666-8907, or Mmeetingarts@suscom-maine.net. http://merrymeetingartscenter.pageworks.cc/calendar.html

04/19 or 04/26, 9am-5pm. SPOONCARVING WITH LYNETTE BRETON, HarpswellIn this one-day class, you will use a spokeshave to do all the preliminary outside shapingof a spatular type of utensil. Cost is $120.00 and includes the use of all tools and material. Plan to go home with a completed project ready to use.  Contact: 725-9802, nettie@gwi.net

Ongoing: FIBER WORKSHOPS at Halcyon Yarn, Bath: http://www.halcyonyarn.com/classes.html

LOTS OF CLASSES: DANCE, ART, THEATER. HONEY BLACKWELL TEACHES BREAK DANCE AT FULL CIRCLE DANCE STUDIO, BRUNSWICK; RUSTIC WOODWORKING WITH CHRIS COLE IN TOPSHAM; AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT IN BATH; THEATER AT THE THEATER PROJECT IN BRUNSWICK. AND MORE FIND LISTINGS HERE: http://www.fiveriversartsalliance.org/artscape/calendar.aspx

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES

BRUNSWICK OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL will be Saturday, August 16, 2008.  This sidewalk art sale and festival was very successful last year. Find complete guidelines for interested artists at http://www.brunswickdowntown.com/brunswick-arts-festival.aspx

From the Maine Arts Commission: Several new requests for proposals, including % for art opportunities can be found at and Maine Arts Commission website. Opportunities include:

• Design, execute, and install artwork at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College, Percent for Art site. Total project budget is $30,000 and the deadline for submissions is May 30, 2008. http://mainearts.maine.gov/opportunities/default.asp. 

New Post, March 13

Artist opportunity: Possible studio/retail spaceon the waterfront in Bath
47 Commercial Street in Bath, the former Bath Fuel Company, a beautiful historic cement re-enforced building right on the waterfront. This 10,000 sq ft building has potential to become studio/retail and much more. The space will offer up to 14 possible studios with great advantages worked into the cost of rent. A walk thru of the building can be arranged in the next week or two.  For those interested please reply to heather bertrand at heather.bertrand@earthlink.net or call 442-0852.

Please feel free to share this information to artists who may be interested.

New Post, March 7, 2008

Peace and Social Justice Art Exhibit. In conjunction with the Brunswick Peace Fair (to be held on Saturday August 2, 2008) there will be an exhibit of artwork about peace and social justice, July 3 - August 3 at the Morrell Meeting Room of the Curtis Memorial Library, 123 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Interested artists should contact Marji Greenhut for details at: marji18@gwi.net or cal; 725-8253.

LIST YOUR EVENTS ON VISITMAINE.COM (the website of the Maine Office of Tourism).  This is a free service with many hits this time of year as people make plans for summer vacations. Complete instructions:

Add a Listing to Maine Office of Tourism Website
Reach out and let people know about your arts & cultural events by posting events on the Maine Tourism Website.
The following instructions will allow you to add your organization’s event information to the Maine Office of Tourism website. We suggest that you take time each month to add or update your information. Visitors to Maine use visitmaine.com to make their travel plans, this step will help them find your organization or event and to add it to their itineraries.

1. Go to www.visitmaine.com
2. Scroll to bottom of homepage and click on Add/Update a Listing
3. If you are a registered user click on additional information
4. If you are a new user click on not registered?
5. Complete the Visitmaine account information
6. Click on submit
7. Once confirmed click submit
8. Follow instructions to list your organization and event information

For further information, please contact:

Abbe Levin, Maine Office of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Tourism Coordinator, 207-633-6141, alevin@gwi.net or Steve Lyons, Maine Office of Tourism, Website Administrator, 207-624-9815, steve.lyons@maine.gov

FROM THE MAINE ARTS COMMISSION

• ArtME workshops are offered beginning April 16 in Portland.  Find out more at: http://mainearts.maine.gov/events/artME/index.shtml
• MAC announces new blog: check it out at http://virtualmac.edublogs.org/
• MAC offers many listservs (organized by areas of interest) dispatched once a month (or so).  Here is how to sign up:

Subscribing to Maine Arts Commission Email Lists

To subscribe or alter the amount of listserv lists you are on, please log in to your MaineArts.com account (http://mainearts.maine.gov/admin/login.asp.) If you do not already have an account, create one now (http://mainearts.maine.gov/admin/login.asp.)

Existing users, follow these steps:

• Log in with User Name and Password
• At the content manager dashboard, select the "My Account" tab
• In My Account, on the right you select the link for "Email Subscriptions"
• Select every listserv that you wish to be added to, and then select the "submit" button.
• Or, deselect every listserv that is checked that you wish to be removed from, and then select the "submit" button.

Note: The above will start addition or removal from the listserv(s); however you must complete the next step to finalize:

• You will receive an email from the Mailman listserv asking you to confirm that you wish to be added or deleted. Just follow directions on that email to confirm and you will be added/ removed. (You will receive one email for each list you are requesting to be added to, or removed from. You must respond to each one.)

If you need further assistance or forgot your log in credentials, please contact our office at 207/287-2724 for assistance.

EWEEK: National Entrepreneur Week: Feb 23-March 1. Find listings across the state: http://www.eweekmaine.com/

How to Start and Artists Cooperative, sponsored by Women, Work and Community will be offered Feb 26, 3-5 pm, University College at Bath, 9 Park St, Room 110 Bath. (long This workshop will include practical information for how to get a cooperative underway and growing successfully. The workshop is presented by Women Work and Community, a program designed to helping Maine women succeed in their workplace, business, and community. Free. This is an interactive broadcast workshop. FMI: 1-800-442-2092. wkrose@maine.edu

SBDC at FREEPORT:   The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has added a Freeport outreach site for more convenient service to Freeport area small business owners.  Effective February 6, a Maine SBDC certified business counselor will begin consulting with small business owners on Wednesdays in office space at the Hampton Inn, 194 Lower Main Street. The consultations are by appointment only, which can be made by calling the Freeport Economic Development Corporation office at 865-4347, extension 137.

HAYSTACK WORKSHOP WEEKEND: Maine Crafts Association offers Haystack Workshop Weekend, May 15-18 (early registration deadline is 2/28/08). 
For PDF: click here.

Add a Listing to Maine Office of Tourism Website

Reach out and let people know about your arts & cultural events by posting events on the Maine Tourism Website.
The following instructions will allow you to add your organization’s event information to the Maine Office of Tourism website. We suggest that you take time each month to add or update your information. Visitors to Maine use visitmaine.com to make their travel plans, this step will help them find your organization or event and to add it to their itineraries.

1. Go to www.visitmaine.com
2. Scroll to bottom of homepage and click on Add/Update a Listing
3. If you are a registered user click on additional information
4. If you are a new user click on not registered?
5. Complete the Visitmaine account information
6. Click on submit
7. Once confirmed click submit
8. Follow instructions to list your organization and event information

For further information, please contact:

Abbe Levin, Maine Office of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Tourism Coordinator, 207-633-6141, alevin@gwi.net or Steve Lyons, Maine Office of Tourism, Website Administrator, 207-624-9815, steve.lyons@maine.gov

 

CALLS FOR ARTISTS

HARBORARTS-CAMDEN ART SHOW: The summer HarborArts Juried Arts & Crafts Show, hosted by the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce in Camden, Maine, returns for its 32nd year on the weekend of July 19 & 20, 2008.  The fall HarborArts show will celebrate its 25th year this fall.  Over 100 artists and artisans will display, discuss and sell their work . Last year’s show attracted 6,000. To register participate in this years show please visit www.visitcamden.com or call Alicia Arsenault at 207-236-4404 or email events@camdenme.org. 

BRUNSWICK OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL is accepting applications for its Saturday, August 16 sidewalk art show and sale. This Fine Art and Fine Cract sShow is sponsored by Brunswick Downtown Association. Download application here.

Maine Arts Commission has extensive Opportunities listings in many medai. Find them at http://mainearts.maine.gov/opportunities/default.asp

Artists and craftspeople sought for ART FEST BENEFIT FOR WOLFE’S NECK FARM to be held Fri, June 27, 6 – 8 PM (by invitation only) and Sat, June 28, 10 AM – 4 PM at Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport.  Featuring New England artists, exhibiting and selling their work.  Pottery, jewelry, fine arts, clothing, garden delights and more! Artist’s work will be juried.  FMI and an application, contact Call Sandy Wallen 865-1259 or www.wolfesneckfarm.org to download application.

MERRYMEETING ARTS CENTER, SEEKS SKILLED ARTISTS TO TEACH art classes to children and/or adults. 

 

• We are seeking artists to teach classes for children during winter break February 17th through the 23rd. 
• Classes will be 2-3 hours long and an adult will be present with children under 12. 
• Mornings (starting about 10am) would be best, but afternoons are also possible.
• We are also interested in holding classes for adults and children at other times, which could be during the day, nights or on the weekends.
• We have recently held classes on maskmaking, batik and had a felting demonstration.  We hope for more classes like these and any others.  We welcome any media.  We offer fair compensation and a supplies budget.
  FMI: NanetteGiacoma; 207-666-8907, Merrymeetingartscenter@yahoo.com , www.merrymeetingartscenter.org, 9 Main St., Bowdoinham 04008

 

Artists Wanted for Annual Mid-Coast Music & Arts Festival. The organizers of Bel-Tek, the annual free music festival held in Belmont Maine, are seeking visual and performance artists to display their work or perform at the 2008 festival. Festival will be Saturday and Sunday August 2 and 3 and will feature 24 hours of top-notch performers from all over New England creating and mixing music of all kinds.  The festival will also include fire-breathers, dancers, painters, sculptors, a graffiti art competition, and video installations. In addition to all of the art, expect to see several vendors offering services and goods including coffee, food, cloths fabric, jewelry, and hand-blown glass! Deadline March 1, 2008. For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact Erik Klausmeyer at beltekfestival@mail.com or call 207-664-8993. Email: beltekfestival@mail.com

CLASSES:
Creative Enterprises Workshops by Women, Work & Community.
Women, Work, and Community will be offering a series of free workshops tailored for artists, craftspeople and artisans who wish to build and strengthen their business efforts.  Skill-building topics include Basics of Starting a Business, Create Compelling Marketing Materials, Introduction to Easy Bookkeeping Methods, Plan the Financial Future of Your Business, and Capturing Images for Marketing Materials.  These will be held on Tuesdays at the WWC offices on the UMA campus from 6:00-9:00 p.m.  Other informational workshops will be How to Start an Artist/Artisan Cooperative, Preparing for a Studio Tour, Artists in the Schools, and Getting Ready for the Big Shows.  These will be on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00.  Check out WWC’s website for further descriptions and specific dates www.womenworkandcommunity.org.   Pre-registration is required.  Please call Wendy Rose at 1-800-442-2092 or email her at wkrose@maine.edu.

More business trainings at

Southern Midcoast Chamber of Commerce: http://www.midcoastmaine.com/chamber-info/release.php?nID=235

Maine Business works: http://www.mainebusinessworks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.events

CG Jung Center: classes, lectures and seminars on Jungian subjects. Winter-spring. PDF of all offerings.

OTHER NEW POSTS: MAINE ARTS COMMISSION HAS NEW LISTS AND LINKS OF ARTIST LIVING SPACES.
VIEW AT http://mainearts.maine.gov/artists/Information/Artist_Spaces.shtml

New England Foundation for the Arts announced the online publication of its latest creative economy study, The Creative Economy: A New Definition. Building on NEFA's 30-year history of creative economy research in partnership with the New England state arts agencies, this report proposes a standard research methodology and core definition of New England's creative economy that could be employed throughout the U.S. Written by Douglas DeNatale, Ph.D. and Gregory H. Wassall, Ph.D. the report provides a research framework for New England and beyond, and includes an economic analysis of New England's cultural industries and workforce, revealing that New England's cultural organizations employ 274,719 people -- nearly 4% of total employment in the region!

Studio space for rent:
Beautiful visual artists' studio available in Bath. (pictured at right). This studio is located in a quiet residential area in Bath's south end, and was designed and constructed with the visual artist in mind. The space is open, with natural north light providing a remarkable working suitable for display of work. Carpeted painting storage racks are built in, suitable for storage of small and large paintings in a safe manner. A wall mounted painting/drawing easel is located in a natural and track lighted corner.
This is a quiet, clean, and very peaceful space, approximately 675 sq.ft. Rental cost is $250. per month, with an additional heat and light cost of $75. Call 443-5127 for more information.

Crossroads for Community Arts Conference

CROSSROADS CONFERENCE Wrap up notes

Maine's Creative Economy: Connecting Community, Creativity and Commerce" PowerPoint

Link sent by conference attendee Bridget Spaeth: http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

Links from Anne Katz at Arts Wisconsin

• Arts Wisconsin's website:  www.artswisconsin.org
• "The arts...so good in Wisconsin" radio and TV ads (an example of one of our partnership projects, with the Dept. of Tourism) http://agency.travelwisconsin.com/Strategic/lifessogood_toolbox.shtm and scroll down to *"Arts in Wisconsin Education Kit Logos"\Data that we use as we make our case-would be helpful in Maine's future too!
• -Arts and Economic Prosperity III: the economic impact of the nonprofit arts sector from Americans for the Arts (this was mentioned at the conference) - <http://artsusa.org/information_resources/research_information/services/economic_impact/default.asp>
• -Creative industries - the number of nonprofit and for-profit arts businesses and jobs in the US, compiled by AFTA from Dun and Bradstreet information
  http://www.americansforthearts.org/information_resources/research_information/services/creative_industries/default.asp

Marketing & Publicity: Five Essentials of Successful Community Arts Websites, Reed Berkowitz.
There are five key areas that should be considered in any successful community based website. Download a PowerPoint of PDF of Reed's presentation.

 

Visual Art and Craft

BANNERS OVER BATH Regional Outdoor Art Exhibit call for entries
Create a 2’ by 3’ vertical image on canvas supplied by Main Street Bath. On View: March 15 - May 15, Banners will be hung from lampposts in Bath, Maine. Materials: Canvas banners may be painted with oil or acrylic paint or textile techniques. This Year's Theme: Celestial Navigation Deadline for Submission: March 10, 2008 New This Year: Reception to Celebrate Banners Over Bath at City Hall March 14, 2008. Artists, sponsors, friend and volunteers are invited. Sponsors: Businesses, individuals and organizations are encouraged to sponsor banners. Images may not include advertising or promotional information. Names of artists and sponsors will appear on Main Street Bath’s website and other promotional material. Entry Fee: $20.00, non-profit organizations $15.00 Pick Up blank canvas at Main Street Bath, 4 Centre Street. Please call first to be sure someone is in the office. Download application here.

BRUNSWICK OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL is accepting applications for its Saturday, August 16 sidewalk art show and sale. This Fine Art and Fine Cract sShow is sponsored by Brunswick Downtown Association. Download application here.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts new catalog of summer programs is onliune. Find it at: http://www.haystack-mtn.org/

Maine Crafts Association offers updates on craft exhibits and calls for entries. Find out more at http://www.mainecrafts.org/opportunities/opportunities.aspx

The Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) is proud to announce an annual juried photography show! The MAINE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, now in its third season, is the very popular and prestigious gallery show shown at the spacious and historic Boothbay Railway Museum's Town Hall. This year, the show's juror is the well known Maine and international photographer, JOYCE TENNESON. The 3rd Annual Maine Photography Show will be on display May 10th to May 25th. Deadline for entries is February 1st, 2008. Go to www.mainephotographyshow.com for show details, submission and entry rules, and entry forms. Join the distinguished group of Maine photographers that have made The Maine Photography Show the most important photography show in Maine. Sponsor: Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) Web: www.mainephotographyshow.com

Margaret Jones teaches for her 6th year the 12-Week Intensive Program at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME. This program is a specialized course of study aimed to meet the needs of aspiring furniture makers and amateurs on sabbatical from other professions. For more info about the school, visit: www.woodschool.org. Phone: 207/594-5611 Email: info@woodschool.org Web: www.woodschool.org

Artists and craftspeople sought for ART FEST BENEFIT FOR WOLFE’S NECK FARM to be held Fri, June 27, 6 – 8 PM (by invitation only) and Sat, June 28, 10 AM – 4 PM at Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport.  Featuring New England artists, exhibiting and selling their work.  Pottery, jewelry, fine arts, clothing, garden delights and more! Artist’s work will be juried.  FMI and an application, contact Call Sandy Wallen 865-1259 or www.wolfesneckfarm.org to download application.

MERRYMEETING ARTS CENTER, SEEKS SKILLED ARTISTS TO TEACH art classes to children and/or adults. 

 

• We are seeking artists to teach classes for children during winter break February 17th through the 23rd. 
• Classes will be 2-3 hours long and an adult will be present with children under 12. 
• Mornings (starting about 10am) would be best, but afternoons are also possible.
• We are also interested in holding classes for adults and children at other times, which could be during the day, nights or on the weekends.
• We have recently held classes on maskmaking, batik and had a felting demonstration.  We hope for more classes like these and any others.  We welcome any media.  We offer fair compensation and a supplies budget.
  FMI: NanetteGiacoma; 207-666-8907, Merrymeetingartscenter@yahoo.com , www.merrymeetingartscenter.org, 9 Main St., Bowdoinham 04008

 

Artists Wanted for Annual Mid-Coast Music & Arts Festival. The organizers of Bel-Tek, the annual free music festival held in Belmont Maine, are seeking visual and performance artists to display their work or perform at the 2008 festival. Festival will be Saturday and Sunday August 2 and 3 and will feature 24 hours of top-notch performers from all over New England creating and mixing music of all kinds.  The festival will also include fire-breathers, dancers, painters, sculptors, a graffiti art competition, and video installations. In addition to all of the art, expect to see several vendors offering services and goods including coffee, food, cloths fabric, jewelry, and hand-blown glass! Deadline March 1, 2008. For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact Erik Klausmeyer at beltekfestival@mail.com or call 207-664-8993. Email: beltekfestival@mail.com

Fryeburg Visitor Center, Percent for Art site. Budget is $3,500. Maine's Percent for Art law reserves one percent of the construction funds for all state-funded building projects to provide artwork for the public areas of these buildings. The Fryeburg Visitor Center is located just west of Fryeburg on Rt. 302. It was constructed in 2007 to be an information resource for travelers entering Maine from New Hampshire. The center is one of seven within Maine, and promotes events and attractions in the Lakes and Mountains region, as well as the rest of the state. The center sits next to railroad tracks that are used by skiers and snowmobilers in the winter and is being developed as a bike trail for the warmer months. The committee is requesting proposals for the exterior area around the main vehicle entrance of the facility. They are looking for a single installation that reflects the character of the area and will be a point of interest to attract travelers to the facility. The artwork should be able to withstand the elements and be viable throughout the year. They encourage artists to visit the site to better address the space as they see fit. The committee's assessment of the site revealed the following potential exterior areas: * Entrance turn-in area from Route 302. * Trail head near entrance, around flagpole area * West wall of building exterior

Project Budget:Approximately $3,500 in Percent for Art funds is available for this project. These funds will be used to commission work from one or more artists. This fixed amount must cover all design, fabrication, transportation, documentation and installation expenses, including any building or site modification associated with the artwork. Who May Apply: All professional Maine artists may apply for consideration for this project. Artists who are employees of the Department of Transportation or the Department of Tourism are ineligible for Percent for Art projects at the location where they are employed. Please follow the application guidelines below. Contact Kerstin Gilg, public art associate, with questions at 207/287-6719, kerstin.gilg@maine.gov, 1-(877) 887-3878 TTY or via NexTalk.Net UserID: kerstingilg

Selection Process: A Percent for Art selection committee will serve as the jury for this project. The committee will review the submitted preliminary materials of digital images, artist's resume, letter of intent, and estimated budget. Please do not submit detailed models, drawings, or final proposals at this time.

Schedule: Deadline for submission of preliminary materials is a postmarked date of March 15th, 2008.

Contact: Kerstin Gilg Phone: 207/287-6719 Web: mainearts.maine.gov/public/percent/Site_Documentation/Fryeburg_Visitor_Center.jpg

B A C K C O U N T R Y   A R T   T R I P S
Bath Artist Michael Branca has lead four trips this summer for adventurous artists and artistic adventurers to beautiful locations around Maine to camp, hike, paint and draw. Lots of information and the complete vision are online at www.backcountryarttrips.com. FMI: Michael Branca; www.mikebranca.com, www.backcountryarttrips.com, 207-443-4718

ARTIST OPPORTUNITY IN MAINE
Located on Main Street in Kingfield, Maine, the diverse Stadler Gallery (www.stadlergallery.com) is looking for contemporary artists to exhibit during the summer months of June through September, 2008. Renowned for exhibiting a wide range of artwork, from eclectic sculptures and woodcuts, to landscapes and abstract illustrations, Stadler Gallery occupies the main floor of an old New England barn with plenty of wall as well as floor space. Interested artists should send pictures (slides, photos or disks) to Stadler Gallery, PO Box 228, Kingfield, Me 04947, ph: 207.265.5025;e-mail stadlergallery@gmail.com

Fall Harbor Arts Juried Arts and Craft Show in Camden has space for artists to sell work. Contact for the dates for the show 2008. The cost is $175 per booth and it is a 10x10 booth. Artists should be prepared for rain or shine. Please contact Alicia Arsenault, Coordinator, CRL Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 919, Camden, ME 04843; 207-236-4404 or at events@camdenme.org

Maine Arts Commission Opportunities
These and other listings can be seen in detail at: http://mainearts.maine.gov/opportunities/default.asp

F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick is looking for Maine made kitchen compost pails. We would like to offer a wide selection of Maine compost pails in our store and online at www.fwhorch.com. F.W. Horch provides practical products for sustainable living including goods & supplies to help conserve resources and protect your environment. Please contact jill@fwhorch.com with questions.

Exhibit at Bookland Brunswick, a local independent bookseller at Cook's Corner, is offering to display and sell work in their 6 lighted, locked, display cases. The cases can be rented for $15.00 a week; rental fee will more than double beginning the Monday before Thanksgiving until Dec. 31. This is a juried opportunity. Artists and artisans should submit photos of their work to Sharon Turner. Artists will receive 100% of the sale. The only fee collected by Bookland will be the rental fee. Call Sharon Turner at 725-2313 for more details.

Portland Incubator Maine artists are invited to sell their work in Congress Square in conjunction with First Fridays. Read on: "Join us every friday evening in congress sq @ "the Incubator" until the season/weather tells us it's too nasty. Exercise your right to sell it, if you MAKE IT, or at least to talk with those who are. This has to be one of the easiest/most organic ways to grow local culture, the way we need it... now. Act local. Hope to see you in the sq." Contact: Eli M. Cayer, MENSK Founder/Director. 207 653 7406 mobil. 207 775 4373 office/fax. www.mensk.cc. eli@mensk.cc.

Theatre & Dance

Youthlinks, a non-profit agency based in Rockland, offers meaningful and fun enrichment and volunteer opportunities to area youth free of charge. Youthlinks is currently searching for dance and movement teachers to supplement its newest program, Find Your Groove. Find Your Groove meets weekly and offers dance technique, creative movement, and instruction of a wide exposure of different dance forms and styles. If you are a teacher in any dance discipline and would like to volunteer to teach a one hour class for mid-cost youth, Youthlinks is waiting to meet you! Youthlinks cannot currently monetarily reimburse volunteers, but can provide full press realease in area media. Youthlinks is also searching for artists and educators for an artist in residence program this summer. Please contact if interested. Contact: Caitlin Schick. Phone: 207/594-2221. Email: cschick@brmaine.org. Web: youthlinksonline,org

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Penobscot Theatre, America's Northeastern-most professional theatre company, located in Bangor, Maine seeks submissions for its 2nd Annual New Play Festival: Northern Writes, taking place in late May and early June at the theatre-owned Bangor Opera House. Last year's festival was noted by AMERICAN THEATRE magazine as the largest theatre festival in America during the month of May, with 22 plays workshopped in 15 days. Over 200 scripts from all 50 states and 4 countries were submitted last year. Scripts chosen for inclusion in the festival are given a staged reading and are followed by audience discussion. Each reading averaged 50 audience members last year. There is no fee to submit to the festival. Travel stipends for playwrights may be available. To submit: send an un-published, un-produced script (play or musical) with a cover letter to:Northern Writes/Penobscot Theatre, 131 Main Street, Bangor, ME 04401 by Valentine's Day. Decisions for inclusion will be made by April 15th. While email submissions are not accepted, any questions may be directed to info@penobscottheatre.org For more information: Contact: Laura EmackPhone: 207/567-3437. Email: LKECPA@prexar.com

Maine Arts Commission has extensive Opportunities listings in many media. Find them at http://mainearts.maine.gov/opportunities/default.asp

MatchBook.org
MatchBook.org is a powerful tool for performing artists, venues and presenting organizations across New England. This New England-wide database offers the opportunity to post an extensive profile, with images and audio clips. It is used by presenting organizations to discover new talent, develop collaborations and book performers. Also includes technical advice and professional development calendar. This is a free service of the New England Foundation for the Arts. MatchBook.org’s Professional Development Opportunities calendar offers a chronological list of workshops, classes, conferences and lectures for the arts and culture community.  Listings on this calendar aim to provide artists and presenters in New England with opportunities for developing their work and networks.  Check out the calendar to find out about networking conferences, learning opportunities for artist-educators, or development workshops that could help enhance your work!

Volunteers of America Northern New England is seeking volunteer workshop teachers for a new community program in Bath: Saturday Adventures at Huse. We haveteamed with the Bath School District to provide free arts and fitness activitiesevery other Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. We're currently seeking volunteerteachers to leadworkshopsin theater arts, visual arts, dancing, singing, and music. Saturday Adventures at Huse isopen to any Sagadahoc resident aged five years or older and is held at the Huse School in Bath. We'll needarts-relatedworkshop teachers for the upcoming dates: Nov. 3, Dec. 1, Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 1, April 5,and May 3.Please contact Scott Montgomery at 373-1140, ext. 207 for more details.

Artists Wanted for Annual Mid-Coast Music & Arts Festival. The organizers of Bel-Tek, the annual free music festival held in Belmont Maine, are seeking visual and performance artists to display their work or perform at the 2008 festival. Festival will be Saturday and Sunday August 2 and 3 and will feature 24 hours of top-notch performers from all over New England creating and mixing music of all kinds.  The festival will also include fire-breathers, dancers, painters, sculptors, a graffiti art competition, and video installations. In addition to all of the art, expect to see several vendors offering services and goods including coffee, food, cloths fabric, jewelry, and hand-blown glass! Deadline March 1, 2008. For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact Erik Klausmeyer at beltekfestival@mail.com or call 207-664-8993. Email: beltekfestival@mail.com

Music

Maine Arts Commission has extensive Opportunities listings in many medai. Find them at http://mainearts.maine.gov/opportunities/default.asp

MatchBook.org
MatchBook.org is a powerful tool for performing artists, venues and presenting organizations across New England. This New England-wide database offers the opportunity to post an extensive profile, with images and audio clips. It is used by presenting organizations to discover new talent, develop collaborations and book performers. Also includes technical advice and professional development calendar. This is a free service of the New England Foundation for the Arts.

MatchBook.org’s Professional Development Opportunities calendar offers a chronological list of workshops, classes, conferences and lectures for the arts and culture community.  Listings on this calendar aim to provide artists and presenters in New England with opportunities for developing their work and networks.  Check out the calendar to find out about networking conferences, learning opportunities for artist-educators, or development workshops that could help enhance your work!

SONGWRITER AND CREATIVE ECONOMY /NETWORKING FOR THE WORKING MUSICIAN
Every Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Cafe Creme (corner of Front and Centre Sts. in Bath). For more information: wwwdavidbullard.com.

Artists Wanted for Annual Mid-Coast Music & Arts Festival. The organizers of Bel-Tek, the annual free music festival held in Belmont Maine, are seeking visual and performance artists to display their work or perform at the 2008 festival. Festival will be Saturday and Sunday August 2 and 3 and will feature 24 hours of top-notch performers from all over New England creating and mixing music of all kinds.  The festival will also include fire-breathers, dancers, painters, sculptors, a graffiti art competition, and video installations. In addition to all of the art, expect to see several vendors offering services and goods including coffee, food, cloths fabric, jewelry, and hand-blown glass! Deadline March 1, 2008. For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact Erik Klausmeyer at beltekfestival@mail.com or call 207-664-8993. Email: beltekfestival@mail.com

Creative Economy

Maine's Creative Economy: Connecting Community, Creativity and Commerce" PowerPoint

Nov 16-17 JUICE Creative Economy Conference in Camden-Rockland
Futurist Andrew Zolli kicked off the Juice: Powering the Creative Economy conference designed to inspire and build Maine’s creative economy.  Zolli, a globally connected foresight and global trends consultant who analyzes critical trends at the intersection of culture, technology, and global society, will be the keynote. Thirty-five workshops offered to create “action groups” around advocacy, entrepreneurship, technology, and the creative arts. Complete details at: http://www.juiceconference.org/

Mainecreates.com-a new marketplace. Look for this new website launch.

New England Foundation for the Arts announced the online publication of its latest creative economy study (December 2007), The Creative Economy: A New Definition. Building on NEFA's 30-year history of creative economy research in partnership with the New England state arts agencies, this report proposes a standard research methodology and core definition of New England's creative economy that could be employed throughout the U.S. Written by Douglas DeNatale, Ph.D. and Gregory H. Wassall, Ph.D. the report provides a research framework for New England and beyond, and includes an economic analysis of New England's cultural industries and workforce, revealing that New England's cultural organizations employ 274,719 people -- nearly 4% of total employment in the region!

Vermont Arts Council offers a Cultural Tourism Toolkit that can be helpful for developing local initiatives: http://www.culturalheritagetourism.org/CulturalHeritageToolkits.htm

Vermont hosted a Advancing Vermont's Creative Economy Conference summer 2007. Here is their report: CCP conference report.pdf. Background on the creative economy and the Creative Communities Program is available online at the Vermont Council on Rural Development: http://www.vtrural.org

Creative Economy Council – www.creative-economy.org - partnership and collaboration of business, government, and cultural sectors that promotes the development of New England’s creative economy.

Business Training

Women, Work & Community offers free workshops for entrepreneurs. http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/scripts/training.php

ArtsMarketing.org
This website reports on trends in marketing the arts, especially new media. See recent article on Rich Americans Use Internet to Research and Buy , Direct Mail goes Digital, and Websites: You've only got 3 seconds... www.artsmarketing.org

MAINE BUSINESS WORKS WEBSITE 
www.mainebusinessworks.org is an excellent source for business management trainings, workshop announcements and more. This site lists training opportunities in the state by region, provider, and topic.  The site is a resource for the creative business sector as well as the business community as a whole.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) – www.ceimaine.org - nonprofit Community Development Corporation and Community Development Financial Institution whose role is to develop job-creating natural resources and small business ventures in primarily rural regions of Maine.

Creative Economy Council – www.creative-economy.org - partnership and collaboration of business, government, and cultural sectors that promotes the development of New England’s creative economy.

Maine Business Works – www.mainebusinessworks.org - provides access to a broad array of business development assistance available throughout the State of Maine including business education, financing programs, and small business information and/or assistance.

Maine.com Starting a Business - www.maine.gov/portal/business/ - state website with several resources on starting a small business.

Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources – www.getrealmaine.com - Part of the Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources. Celebrates and promotes Maine food and agricultural products; allows agricultural businesses to connect with prospective customers; provides business resources for producers; provides information on where to buy local products.

Maine Department of Economic and Community Development – www.econdevmaine.com - goal to create economic opportunities for the people of Maine and to foster the prosperity of the state’s economy.  Serves as the umbrella organization to the offices of Tourism, Business Development, the International Trade Center, Community Development, Film and Innovation and Science.

MCBDP: Midcoast Council for Business Development and Planning – www.mcbdp.org - public-private non-profit development corporation that supports business retention, expansion and attraction to improve the regional economy of Bath, Brunswick, Topsham, Richmond, Bowdoinham and Phippsburg, Maine

Small Business Development Centers – www.mainesbdc.org - provides comprehensive business management assistance, training, resource and information services to Maine's micro, small, and technology-based business communities. Website includes many tools and useful articles, as well as a calendar of local events targeted toward business knowledge and development.

Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce – www.midcoastmaine.com - contains an array of information on the region, including tourism, an events calendar, things to do, and resources for starting a business.

U.S. Small Business Association Startup - www.sbaonline.sba.gov/starting_business - A national government website that includes a useful online questionnaire/analysis tool that will prepare you for self-employment (Click on “Checklist for starting a business”)

Women’s Agricultural Network – www.umaine.edu/umext/wagn - Enables women and other underserved people to successfully own, operate and support agriculturally-related enterprises through a series of educational, technical assistance, and networking opportunities.

Women, Work & Community – www.womenworkandcommunity.org - Provides training and assistance for development in the workforce, microenterprises, assets, and leadership in order to improve the economic lives of Maine women and their families.  In 2006-07 WW&C will provide free Creative Enterprise Workshops for artists and creative entrepreneurs.

FREE MAINE BUSINESS LISTINGS - Take a look at this website for details on a free listing.  “Arts & Entertainment” and “Maine Specialty Products” are two of their twenty-two categories.  Go to: http://www.mainebusinesslisting.com

Other

Beautiful, sunny art studio with large windows facing the riverin the old Cabot Mill building (Ft. Andross), Maine Street, Brunswick.A spacious 1,350 sq ft with studio, gallery space (for exhibition opportunities), and large bath with sink.  Historic charm with original wood floors, high ceilings and arched windows.Would like to share space with another serious artist.  $375 a month each includes utilities. Available now.  Please call 729-8575 or 837-9108 for more info.  

ARTIST STUDIO: Very large river and sunset view art studio available to share. Owner rarely there. $450 includes everything.  725-8253.

New weekly magazine The Maine Switch Covers Arts and Events
If you are looking for new ways to get yourself noticed, then check out the free weekly magazine The Maine Switch which is on newsstands every Thursday in Greater Portland from Brunswick to Old Orchard Beach and west to Windham and online at www.themaineswitch.com. To read the full press release, use this link: Maine Switch Release.

Planning for an Arts Center in Bowdoinham

Artists and friends of the late Bryce Muir of Bowdoinham are beginning the planning process for an Art Center in the Town of Bowdoinham. The concept for the center includes a Brycework^(TM) space, gallery space for work by local artists, educational space, a performing art space and a gallery shop selling art, crafts and related items of interest.  "We would love to have as many people as possible to come to this first event and give us ideas and input on what they envision an art center in Bowdoinham looking like," says Peggy Muir.  FMI: Tony Cox at 666-5531 or go to www.bowdoinham.com <http://www.bowdoinham.com/> (and click on economic development).

Maine and New England Arts Organizations

Designing Women – www.designingwomen.org – Since 1991, this non-profit has been bridging art and the community by sponsoring shows featuring female artisans from New England, and working directly with organizations who benefit women and girls in the community.

Directions: Maine Crafts Guild – www.mainecraftsguild.com - serves professional craftspeople of Maine, promotes tradition of fine crafts, and operates retail shows.

Maine Arts Commission – www.mainearts.com – directory of artists and organizations, information on grants and fellowships, as well as programs for both artists and organizations.

Maine Crafts Association – www.mainecrafts.org – Founded in 1983, have organized high quality educational programs for craft artists, collectors, and the public and have provided opportunities for exhibits and shows.

Maine FiberArts – www.mainefiberarts.org – non-profit formed to promote Maine’s fiber community and to foster its special work in basketry, beadwork, clothing design, crochet, embroidery, felting, knitting, lacework, needlework, paper, quilting, rugs, sewing, spinning, surface design, and weaving.

Maine Literature Daily - http://www.mainepoetry.com - New literary events and news are always on tap for your information. There is also a calendar that lists events for the month at http://calendar.yahoo.com/aopoetry Visit this web page and you will be able to plan your month easily.

Maine Media Women – www.mainemediawomen.org - network of communications specialists, provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, new developments, support, and recognition for mend and women involved in the media.

Maine Music – www.mainemusic.org - comprehensive online database of Maine music, including presenters, musicians, composers, instrument makers, festivals, etc. Also includes an event calendar.

Maine Sculptors – www.mainesculptors.com – online gallery, calendar of exhibitions and events, and membership for professional sculptors in Maine.

Maine Songwriter’s Association – www.mesongwriters.com - search for songwriters by name and/or town.  State-wide, non-profit, member organization that supports songwriters and their art. Mission is to encourage, recognize, educate, support and promote developing songwriters.

Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance – www.mainewriters.org - promotes the value of literature and the art of writing by building a community of publishers, writers, and readers of all ages within Maine.  Sponsors workshops, book signings and readings, publishes newsletter, provides information services.

Matchbook.org – www.matchbook.org -New England’s online cultural marketplace that connects artists, presenters, and communities.  Free registration and listing.  Classifieds, resources, venue and artist search with sound samples.

New England Foundation for the Arts – www.nefa.org – Promoting arts in New England as grantmaker, program initiator, regional laboratory, project coordinator, developer of resources, and builder of creative partnerships among artists, arts organizations and funders.

Spindleworks Art Cooperative – www.spindleworks.org - non profit art center for adults with disabilities. Over 35 artists from the local community receive supplies, studio space, participate in shows, and receive commissions from their work.

Union of Maine Visual Artists – www.umvaonline.org – volunteer-run organization whose goal is to support the community of Maine contemporary artists. “UMVA insists on the ideal of art as a spiritual and aesthetic communication beyond commerce.”

Professional development

Maine Media Arts Project – www.memap.org - volunteer organization whose goals are to educate Maine students in the Media-Arts through free in-school workshops, instructed by business world professionals, and to help build new-media- and technology-based career opportunities for Maine graduates within the state of Maine.

Maine Technology Centers – www.techcentersmaine.com - Role is to assist small-business start-up, thereby improving opportunities for workers through the creation of technologically-advanced jobs and encouraging private sector initiatives.

Juried shows, grants, and more – www.mainearts.com   Go to “Opportunities.”

Maine Made Program – www.mainemade.com - Offers unique products from over 1000 Maine companies crafted from Maine’s rich natural resources.

Matchbook.org – www.matchbook.org -New England’s online cultural marketplace that connects performers, presenters, and communities.  Free registration and listing.  Classifieds, resources, venue and artist search with sound samples.

National Arts Organizations

Americans for the Arts
Is an national arts advocacy organization with policy, resources, visibility and national conferences. Many kinks and research in cultural policy. www.artsusa.org

National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. http://www.nea.gov/index.html