WMSt
Community Arts Initiative Speakers Program presents:
Voices
of Experience in the Arts, Community and Economic Revitalization*
* All
events held at The Forum, located in The Center, 93 Main Street,
downtown Waterville. Special thanks to REM
for helping us arrange the space. For further information or if you are
interested in sponsoring a lecture, call Shannon Haines at 680-2055.
DON'T MISS: Maine Arts Commission “Introduction to the Creative Economy” workshop
Thursday, March 18, 5:30-7:00pm , The Forum ( 93 Main St.), downtown Waterville
Representatives from the Maine Arts Commission will visit Waterville to present the Creative Economy concept and gather feedback from the community. According to Governor Baldacci, “the creative economy is a catalyst for the creation of new jobs in Maine communities. People who create jobs want to live in places that have a diverse cultural mix and an innovative and educated work force.” This workshop will present case studies to demonstrate the importance of the creative sector in future economic development efforts. Mark your calendars!
Past Programs Thursday, February 19, 5:30-6:30pm, Roger Merchant
“Travels with Roger: Taking Another Look at Smaller Communities
in the U.S.”
Roger Merchant with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension presented his slide show, entitled “Community Approaches: Cultural
Heritage & Nature Tourism." Featuring images and ideas gathered
during his sabbatical journeys, Roger highlighted the creative ways
smaller communities in the U.S. have revitalized their economies by focusing
on arts and heritage assets as development tools. Thursday, January 15, 5:30-6:30pm, Frances Clark
“Thinking Creatively About New England’s Economy, the Arts and Central Maine”
 Having led the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, CT for 19 years, Frances Clark spoke about her experiences in revitalization through the arts and provided insight into opportunities in Waterville. Ms. Clark is currently a consultant and serves as project director of the Lila Wallace START Initiative with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. This grant program to 13 state arts agencies nationwide seeks to broaden, deepen and diversity participation in the arts. Among her many contributions to arts-based community development, Ms. Clark helped develop an award-winning Audubon Arts Center, a mixed used Arts District of art institutions where people live, work and shop.
Thursday, November 20, 5:30-6:30pm, John Rohman
“Arts, Culture and Politics in a Maine River City”
 Bangor City Councilor and architect John Rohman spoke about the role of art as an economic development and revitalization tool, citing specific examples from his experience in Bangor, including the National Folk Festival. John also serves as the Chairman of the Maine Arts Commission.
Tuesday, October 28, 5:30-6:30pm, Dr. Bruce St. Thomas
“Art, Grieving and the Healing Power of Community”
 Dr. Bruce St. Thomas addressed the topic of "the healing and therapeutic qualities of art for traumatized or grieving children in a peer support community." An educator, writer and art therapist from S. Portland, Bruce served last summer as the on site mental health consultant to America's Camp, for children who lost parents or relatives on 9-11. He has 25 years’ clinical and consultative experience with children, families, therapeutic groups, community programs and educational organizations, among them, Hall School, The Children’s Museum of Maine, The Center for Grieving Children and Kids First.
Back
to the Community Arts Initiative main page
|
