The Art of Engaging Community

Maine Creates, a free professional development series, was offered in 2024–2025 to all crafters, visual and performing artists, teaching artists, and art teachers in Maine to learn about teaching artistry across the state, brush up on or gain new skills necessary to build partnerships, craft a proposal, and effect positive change in communities through the arts.

Maine Creates included funding and mentorship resources for a select number of proposals through a closed grant process to rapidly support local community engagement through the arts. All participants’ grant-ready proposals were eligible for submission at the end of the training. An impartial grants panel selected five proposals for 2025–2026 implementation.

The series consisted of four virtual sessions on Tuesdays 4/29, 5/6, 5/20, 5/27, 6:30–8:00pm and one in-person workshop on May 31st, 8:30am–4:30pm in Waterville, Maine.

FREE TRAINING INCLUDED:

• 4 Virtual Sessions + 1 In-Person Workshop Gathering 
• Opportunity to apply to have your proposal funded
• Mentorship will be provided throughout training and program implementation

2025 VIRTUAL SESSIONS: Tuesdays, 6:30–8:00pm

April 29: Arts Connect Us
– Identify how your creative work creates well-being and joy.

May 6: Identifying Community Connection
– Establish partnerships with local organizations.

May 20: Building your full proposal
– Complete an engaging project proposal including deliverables, measurement, budgets and contracts.

May 27: Practical Tips for Teaching
– Build your toolbox of skills for varied populations including accessibility.

2025 IN-PERSON SESSION: Saturday, 8:30am–4:30pm

May 31: Storytelling and Amplifying the Work
– Presenting and refining proposals, including designing culminating events to celebrate and amplify the work.

Maine Creates aimed to foster local intergenerational community connections, belonging, and well-being for all ages and abilities through active participation in creativity and art making. The Maine Arts Commission traversed the state listening to communities report on areas of need that could be supported by the arts. Not surprisingly, the most significant needs are located in under-resourced parts of Maine. The Maine Arts Commission reached out to Side x Side to develop this training program to invest in the arts as a positive solution to support our communities.

The arts are a remedy for loneliness, isolation, and disconnection. Teaching artists are an untapped resource in Maine who bring joy and connection as viable solutions for building community resilience and transformation. By training and supporting new and experienced teaching artists across the state, Maine Creates leverages our state’s creative assets to increase health and wellness in our communities.

Maine Creates is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is there a charge for this professional development?
No. This pilot training is FREE and supported by the Maine Arts Commission.

How do I connect for the virtual session?
A Zoom platform link will be sent to your email address provided on the registration prior to the start on April 29th.

Are the virtual sessions recorded?
No, we are not recording sessions. 

Is there Homework?
Yes! There is a little homework to support your learning process and project development. You will identify a community need, connect with and secure a local community partner, write project grant proposal.

Do I have to attend every session?
Yes, in order to be eligible for funding you do have to attend every session. 

Will my project be funded?
Maine Creates is a pilot training program designed to increase arts engagement across the state.  This pilot provides project specific funding for up to five teaching artists to fill community needs and promote health and wellness. 

What are the requirements to receive funding through the closed- grant process?
To be eligible, you must attend all five sessions, complete all homework, and design a project proposal. 

Where should my project take place?
Projects will be developed to be site-specific and take place in your local community in partnership with an organization or business such as: Multi-age programming at a town library, creative aging programs for elders in care facilities or community programs (ie: YMCA), and veterans programs at centers or community organizations. 

Do I need to solicit a community partner to work with me?
Yes, this training will support you to identify community partnerships and explore places that will support creative engagement activities.

How do I get Contact Hours for attending the professional development series?
Contact Hours will be awarded through the University of Southern Maine. If you are an art educator wanting contact hours, please reach out to meghan@sidexsideme.com. Include your name and email, and your school’s name and district. 

Questions?  Email meghan@sidexsideme.com