Category — Uncategorized

It’s no joke. Today, the board and staff of the Portland Arts & Cultural Alliance sent a letter to Maine Governor Paul LePage requesting the return of the 11-panel mural by Judy Taylor to the Maine Department of Labor. The governor ordered the removal of the publicly-commissioned work last week claiming it was unwelcoming to business and did not belong in the lobby of the Maine Department of Labor.

One panel of Judy Taylor's mural

“Rethinking the Art Gallery in the Digital Age” with panelists Dan Kany, Bridget McAlonan of the Sylvia Kania Gallery and Andy Verzosa of Aucocisco was a fascinating exploration. “Street Art v. Graffiti,” will be held Tuesday, April 19 and “Sharing Space and Art: Connecting Artists and Businesses,” will be held Tuesday, May 17.  Save the dates!

If you have ideas for a Creative Conversation, or would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Email jhutchins@portlandarts.org.

Portland Maine has one of the most dynamic arts and cultural scenes in the country. Support your many local artmakers, craftspeople, writers, musicians, dancers, performing arts groups, and galleries and help our creative communities thrive. PortlandArts.org/BuyLocal

Two Organizations Join Forces to Invest in City’s Creative People and Businesses

Portland, Maine—The Creative Portland Corporation and the Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA) announce the appointment of Jennifer Hutchins as full-time executive director, serving both organizations as of December 1, 2010. The hire follows several years of planning by Portland businesses, cultural institutions, artists and city officials to invest in the development and promotion of the city’s creative economy.

“This announcement caps a very successful year for both organizations,” said Andy Graham, Creative Portland board president and owner of Portland Color. “By combining our resources, we want to promote and expand Portland’s creative community and attract talented, motivated people who want to live, work, and set up shop in this exciting, beautiful coastal city.”

Hutchins is currently the director of communications and external affairs for the USM Muskie School and is a co-author of the seminal study, “Maine’s Creative Economy: Measurement and Analysis,” conducted by the Muskie School for Governor John Baldacci’s inaugural Blaine House Summit on the Creative Economy in 2004. Previously, she has been marketing director of Portland Stage Company and an Artsave representative for People For the American Way in Washington D.C.

Since its start in 2008, Creative Portland—made up of representatives of Portland businesses, arts organizations, and independent artists—has raised private financial support from over 20 individuals, corporations, and foundations, won a “Bright Idea” award from Harvard’s Kennedy School for its Creative Economy Tax Increment Financing, and launched two websites — LiveWorkPortland.org and CreativePortland.me — designed to lure highly-skilled people and creative businesses to the city.

Now a subsidiary of Creative Portland, PACA organizes Portland’s nationally-recognized First Friday Art Walk and this year inaugurated summertime trolleys shuttling attendees to art spaces throughout the city. PACA has organized and supported many programs during its 25-year history, including Creative Conversations in collaboration with SPACE Gallery, and research initiatives with the Maine Arts Commission and Americans for the Arts.

“Hiring Jennifer really takes us to the next level,” said Alice Kornhauser, PACA board president and director of marketing and communications at the Portland Symphony Orchestra. “Volunteer support from artists, businesses, community members and organizations continues to be critically important, but a full-time executive director will allow us to focus our combined efforts in a whole new way.”

Creative Portland is a non-profit established by the City of Portland in 2008 to capitalize upon and grow Portland’s creative economy. More information is available at www.liveworkportland.com. In 1997, PACA was designated Portland’s local arts agency by City Council resolution. Its mission is to strengthen Portland by strengthening the arts. More information is available at www.portlandarts.org.

The Creative Portland Corporation (CPC) is a newly established non-profit organization created to receive donations, grants, and contributions in support of and to assist the City of Portland’s economic development efforts which enhance, support, and create creative economy business and arts district development and employment opportunities.

The Board of Directors shall consist of thirteen individuals, two of which shall be ex officio members (the Mayor or City Council member, and the City Manager or designee associated with the Economic Development Division). Qualifications: three representatives from each private creative category (creative enterprises, creative organizations, and artists), and two members representing higher education and real estate. All Directors, with the exception of the ex officio members, must be either residents of, own a business located in, or work in the City of Portland.

Additional information is available in the City Clerk’s office, on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov or at 874-8677. Deadline for submission is September 17, 2010. Please send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o Linda C. Cohen, City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or lcc@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.