Maine Arts Commission Launches Artists in Communities

Source: Arts Wire CURRENT at Arts Wire

The Maine Arts Commission is launching a one-year pilot program, Artists in Communities, which will provide funds for qualified community groups to hire artists to perform, provide readings or present other arts programs.

"The Artist's in Communities program has been created in response to needs articulated by artists in a survey conducted by the Maine Arts Commission last year," says Kathy Ann Jones, the commission's associate for Contemporary Arts. "It is designed to increase opportunities for Maine artists in all disciplines to present their work in collaboration with a community."

The program is part of the New Century Program, which has been funded by the Maine Legislature. "This fulfills the goal of the New Century Program by helping developing communities by strengthening their cultural resources," says Alden Wilson, executive director of the Maine Arts Commission.

Grant awards of $2,000 to $25,000 will be available to programs that involve local residents, including artists and key members of local organizations; incorporate a planned strategy for implementation and evaluation; and relate the goals to a community's social and economic needs. Communities may be defined as places or as communities of interest.

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations that represent a consortium of community organizations. Deadline for applying for funding is May 1. Final guidelines will not be available until March 17, but draft guidelines may now be requested from the Maine Arts Commission, call 287-2724, or Email lisa.veilleux@state.me.us

Source:

MAINE ARTS COMMISSION WEB SITE: http://www.mainearts.com

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