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Purple Moon, Jorge E Peña, 2018. Currently on display in the Maine State Capitol Complex as part of the Maine Arts Commission’s Art in the Capitol program.

Welcome to the Home Stretch

It’s May. Finally.

It’s May. Already?!?

It’s May. Let’s circle back after school gets out…

May is well underway. Whether any or all of the above resonates for you, the merry merry month of May is inarguably a crazy busy time for arts educators, students, and parents: Gallery exhibitions. Concerts. Plays. Festivals. Field trips. Rehearsing and performing. Jurying, curating, and hanging. Assessment. Awards. Designing the invitations. Buying refreshments. Setting up the stage, the hall, the lobby. Documenting and reflecting. Celebrating. Striking, sorting, cleaning, organizing, and putting it all away for the next time.

Art is Work, and not only for the artist. For those who teach, those who produce, those who support, volunteer, patronize, facilitate, appreciate, and engage - our labor demands serious investment of time, energy, and emotion from all involved.

I’ll be asking for your stories of success during the too-brief summer months to get us all jazzed and inspired for next year. This month’s newsletter focuses on regeneration. What do you need right now to fill your well?

There are people and organizations rooting for you, who have your backs, and who are lining up the resources and knowledge to support you in your work.

You got this! Happy May!

~Dana

Spring break visitors adding to the ARTLAB wall at Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland, April 2023.

R/O/I

resources. opportunities. inspiration.

resources

NAfME released an updated 2023 How Funding Works - Title IV, Part A Toolkit and FAQ based on data from 2019-20 school years, indicating how Federal funds have been accessed to support music and arts programs. Click HERE for their Title IV-A Toolkit and for the ESSER toolkit click HERE.

The Wallace Foundation recently released “The Connected Arts Learning Framework: An Expanded View of the Purposes and Possibilities for Arts Learning,” which offers a framework for arts learning that connects the arts to children’s community, civic, and future professional life. Download HERE

And in a beautifully synchronous connection, Creative Generation also recently released “Developing Community Hubs for Artistic, Cultural, & Creative Learning: An Approach.” Download that report HERE

TOMORROW: National Guild for Community Arts Education offers a May 10th webinar “Preparing Your Community Arts Organization for Economic Uncertainty.” Register HERE

THIS WEEK: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts offers a free webinar Thursday, May 11th at 3:30pm, “In Conversation: Arts and Health - Creative Support for Students.” Register HERE

Lifetime Arts hosts the 2023 International Creative Aging Summit on June 6+7. Register HERE

Community Engagement Lab’s Project Design Lab for educators and teaching artists takes place July 10-14 at University of Vermont. FMI click HERE

impala.digital Do you work for a nonprofit or love someone who works in the nonprofit sector? Tell them about impala - a shiny new fundraising platform containing profiles on every nonprofit and foundation in the US, free for Maine orgs thru May 2024!

Untitled Banner by ARRT! (Artists’ Rapid Response Team) spotted outside a May 4, 2023 public hearing of the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs to hear testimony on LD 123, An Act to Eliminate the Educational Purposes Exception to the Prohibition on the Dissemination of Obscene Matter to Minors; LD 618, An Act to Eliminate Critical Race Theory, Social and Emotional Learning and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from School Curricula; and LD 1008, An Act to Establish a Rating System for Books in School Libraries.

opportunities

National Arts Program Maine State Employee 1st Annual Art Exhibit and Awards Registration deadline May 15. For state employees and their immediate family members, including youth/teens. Register HERE

Merrymeeting Adult Education in Topsham announces its inaugural Artist in Residence program - includes studio space and stipend. Apply by June 2 HERE

Monson Arts hosts visual artist and writer residencies. Apply by June 15 HERE

Maine Arts Commission Application portal opens May 22nd for the Artist Fellowship. Deadline July 6.

Tons of Job Openings for Visual Arts and Music Teachers are currently posted on ServingSchools. Here is a partial list of the schools/communities who have openings posted as of 5/8: RSU 84, Maine Catholic Schools, Westbrook, AOS 93/Nobleboro, Gray-New Gloucester, Lewiston, Marrs Hill, Friends School of Portland, Richmond, RSU 71, RSU 87, Unity, Orono, Saco…and the list goes on. I’d like to take this moment to highlight an opening for a visual arts teacher at the elementary and high school levels at MSAD 75 in Topsham. Come teach my kids!

Bus Money! Have a last-minute opportunity to take your students to do or see something arts-related, and need help paying for a bus? Rumor has it that MAC’s Ticket to Ride program may still have funds available for this school year. Or get a head-start on planning for next year.

inspiration

Rollo Dilworth, Guest Conductor, introducing the Middle School Youth Choir at the ACDA Maine All State Youth Choral Festival, Hampden Academy Performing Arts Center, May 6, 2023.

Abbe Museum in collaboration with Maine Indian Education and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Border Towns debuts the 2023 Waponahki Student Art Show opening May 9th and available for virtual viewing

Maine Music Educators Association 2023 All-State Conference, University of Maine - Orono, May 18 & 19. Register HERE

Maine Arts Commission presents Art in the Capitol, Maine Excellence in Arts Education Exhibition (through May 31), and 2023 Congressional Art Award Winners

Trauma Trading Cards by Connor McFarland, Grade 12, Lincoln Academy, teacher: Nina Sylvia. One of many arresting entries by Maine students being recognized in the Maine Excellence in Arts Education show on display in the Cross Office Building through May 31.

Thanks to our partners: