Performing in and out of rural venues

Presenters: Jean Surette, Lauren Wayne and Tim Yerxa

Industry leaders in performing arts discuss issues in their sector and offer information to artists interested in getting hired and growing their audience.

Building events: from first Fridays to folk festivals

Presenters: Paul Benjamin, Paul Henderson and Kara Larson.
Festival organizers will discuss what it takes to build a successful community event that fits the community's needs.

Marketing public artwork 

Presenters: Greg Charlton, Jesse Salisbury and Angela Watson.

Artists looking for a public commission or a municipality looking for a way to improve public spaces will enjoy this workshop. Find out what it takes to create successful public art, find sources of funding and build positive and sustained community buy-in.

Strategic thinking for sustainable success

Presenters: Marsha Donahue and Linda Nelson

Art and a business plan aren't terms often paired together, but success may hinge upon it. The panelists will discuss how to build a strategy to realize opportunities and recognize effective practices. This includes proven methods for organizing time and efforts to get the most out of your work.

Figures and Finance

Presenter: Adam Hobson

Hobson helps artists and organizational leaders navigate the exciting world of taxes, micro loans, contracts, grant awards and other official documents. Though it may sound dry, it's essential for someone in the arts industry.

It's not bragging if it's true: Portfolio development

Presenters: Frank Copsidas and Peter Precourt

The difference between great art and a great portfolio can be vast. This session looks at representing art in different ways, using different methods. And this isn't just for artists: organizations can also learn how to represent their own good words.

Intellectual property protection

Presenter: Rook Thomas Hine

Keeping your work safe but also showing it off is a balancing act. Artists can learn how they can protect their work while still building an audience.

Arts funding in Maine

Presenters: Yellow Light Breen, Barbara Edmond, Cathy Melio, Jane Preston and Megan Shore

This double session will focus on various funding sources and provide information that will allow artists to seek the support they need. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of philanthropic organizations and grant writing and will learn how to build partnerships and navigate multiple types of foundation, corporate and government support.

Art and journalism: the inside scoop

Presenters: Katy England, Bob Keyes, Tom Porter and Kathleen Shannon

This double session brings together Maine's media personalities from print, radio and television to share with artists the best ways to get exposure in each medium. Artists gain first-hand knowledge on how to help reporters cover your story and improve press releases and media advisories to improve their chance for success.

Fabrication Lab as a creative tool

Presenters: Sean George and Owen Smith

With the leaps and bounds being made in technology, artists have a chance to learn about the new tools that are at their disposal, from 3D printing and computer-navigated cutting. This session covers what technology is available and how they can be utilized by those in the arts.

Video, film and audio recording

Presenters: Aaron Boothroyd and Neil Shlley

This session looks at the best ways to capture moving images and audio. This is relevant for various project budgets and useful for people who have a beginner to intermediate skill set and wish to better understand video editing, film equipment, audio editing, workflow with the RED camera and other tools.

Documenting and archiving your projects

Presenters: John Bell, Richard Corey and Sheridan Kelly

Technology is transforming the way artists and organizations share information. But thought needs to be given to whether the artists are preserving their media assets for future use. This session talks about the best way to document the process of a project and archive the final product.

Mainstreaming engagement

Presenter: Dug Borwick

A hands-on session with keynote Doug Borwick will consider what community engagement is and how organizational functions can be reimagined with that in mind. 

The miracle of high standards in art and education

Presenters: Argy Nestor and Karen Montanara

This workshop offers two ways students can have rigorous and life-enhancing learning experiences through art. 

International block booking

Presenters: Randal Fippinger and Tim Yerxa

Sharing ideas, scheduling information and the details of emerging artists helps venue operators, festival managers and arts presenters give performers more opportunities while reducing costs. 

Making the best thing in the world

Presenter: Stephen Belth

This session will help artists market their work or organization with an emphasis on seeing the art or organization from the audience's point of view. Topics include setting realistic objectives, budgeting, acquisition and retention strategies as well research and analysis and tactical application (such as direct maine, e-marketing, etc.).

The cultural tourist in your town

Presenters: Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Scott Watson and Knox White

This session discusses strategies for cultural tourism initiatives and the different elements that are essential for building an attractive cultural destination.

Creative placemaking

Presenters: Matgaret Bodell and Rod Frantz

This is a chance to look at successful models of creative placemaking and strategies for projects both large and small.

Arts education and community partnerships

Presenter: Arnold Aprill

Aprill will present guidelines for creating effective arts education partnerships and discuss successful strategies for sustaining them.

Civil engagement and the arts

Presenter: Marty Pottenger

This session will look at programs about how the arts can transform the lives in non-traditional settings with a focus on projects with engagement and collaboration with non-arts groups.

Let's hear it for the board

Presenters: Kathleen Grammer and Larry Rubinstein

The difference between a strong board and a weak board can mean the difference between success and frustration. This session focuses on selecting the correct board members and how to maintain active participation.

Artist health insurance

Presenter: Michael Gendreau

This session will discuss how the Affordable Care Act impacts Maine's creative sector.

Creative transformations

Presenters: Leah Fox, George Kinghorn and Suzette McAvoy

Professional gallery operators will discuss how galleries are adapting to remain relevant and vibrant in their communities.

Creative aging

Presenters: Judith Metcald and Susan Perlstein

Art is good for the soul, and there's research that shows that older adults who engage actively in the arts are healthier. This workshop will provide an overview of creative aging initiatives around the country and offer strategies for organizations wishing to engage the baby boomer population.

Arts advocacy is good for business

Presenters: Donna Collins and Jeffrey Rich

This session shows ways to engage with elected officials to get support for the arts.

Art and sustainability

Presenters: Martha Piscuskas, Michael Shaughnessy and John Zavodny

This session explores ways the arts have intersected with local food initiatives, green energy, land conservation and sustainable building practices and other environmental movements