Project M.A.I.N.E. (Maine Arts Integration Network of Excellence) was a FREE year-long professional development series in Arts Integration offered at no cost to Maine educators and teaching artists throughout the state during the 2023–2024 school year.
The training series provided networking and professional learning opportunities for educators and artists to increase their knowledge and skills in arts integration. Participants left with a shared toolbox of resources that will continue to support student learning, well-being, and success into the future.
Through Project M.A.I.N.E., Side x Side gathered a professional learning network of over 481 educators and 18 community partners across the state. During 32 hybrid workshops, knowledge of best practices and strategies for arts integration in K–12 classrooms was shared. Our partners at the University of Southern Maine awarded 742 contact hours for participating educators, and contributed to the national education field of knowledge and practice of arts integration.
Project M.A.I.N.E. was fully funded by a Congressionally-Directed Spending grant that Side x Side received in 2023 through the office of Senator Angus King and the U.S. Department of Education.
PROJECT M.A.I.N.E. IMPACT
Statewide Reach: Project M.A.I.N.E. reached all 16 counties in Maine covering the entire state
- Webinars attracted participants from 105 school districts and 138 towns
- In-person workshops attracted participants from 85 school districts and 53 towns
New Engagement:
- Project M.A.I.N.E. generated 273 new points of contacts, expanding the network of educators, artists, and community members committed to advancing arts integration in Maine schools
Diverse Audience: The webinars and workshops served a broad range of educators and learners. Participation illustrated the program’s appeal across various educational levels. Webinars and in-person workshops attracted:
- Art teachers
- PreK–12 students
- Higher education professionals
- Arts organization leaders
- Teaching artists
Contributing Organizations:
- University of Southern Maine
- University of Maine, Orono
- Portland Museum of Art
- Center for Maine Contemporary Art
- Cross Cultural Community Services
- Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine
- The Abbe Museum
- Indigo Arts Alliance
- Monson Arts
- Maine Arts Commission
- Osher Map Library
- Portland Public Schools
- Maine Historical Society
- Maine Department of Education
Project M.A.I.N.E. Guide: this guide is for teachers, administrators, and community members who want to transform education to support more equitable access to learning. Here, you’ll learn about research-backed tools to integrate the arts into everyday curriculum.
> Project M.A.I.N.E. Guide
To access the virtual video series and resources that support the implementation of arts integration, Register here to become a member of Side x Side.
Project M.A.I.N.E. Photos, Summer 2024
In-person visual and performing arts-integrated workshops were hosted around the state. Special thanks to the following organizations and schools that hosted us:
University of Southern Maine, Gorham
Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA), Rockland
University of Maine, Orono
Monson Arts, Monson
You must be logged in to post a comment.