Midcoast Magnet... Who, What, Why, How

Midcoast Magnet develops leaders in support of innovative projects that foster creativity, livability and economic vitality.

We're a non-profit organization of people dedicated to vibrant culture, entrepreneurship, and socially and professional networking.

Juice Conference: The Juice Conference is bi-yearly conference held in Camden. Juice is a forum for the exchange of ideas, the sharing of success stories, and the development of strategies for Maine’s future. Juice connects leaders of the creative economy to foster growth and prosperity. By weaving together the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship, Juice inspires innovation by bringing talented people together from widely different backgrounds to build on Maine’s traditions. Juice 3.0 November 11-12, 2011 www.juiceconference.org

Pecha Kucha: Pecha Kucha Night is an internationally recognized event based on a unique presentation style in which artists, designers and other creative individuals share twenty images, or each image. Pecha Kucha Night Rockland spans the midcoast, from Thomaston to Belfast, and strengthens community by bringing people of all ages together to consider ideas and images presented by various creatives in our area.

Build Green Maine: Build Green Maine was originated by Midcoast Magnet with the intention of connecting practitioners in the various areas of green building and renewable energy with each other and with homeowners and other stakeholders in Maine’s. BGM is currently going through a transformation. To learn more about it contact George Callas.

Juice Boxes: We want to keep the conversation moving in the creative economy and between Juice conferences. In support of this effort we will be producing quarterly events, called “Juice Boxes”. Each Juice Box will be crafted with specific sectors of the creative economy in mind, at least two sectors, bringing them together, having speakers, panelists, a dialogue or theme to be continued from Juice, the ability to walk away with a new or improved skill, and ample time to network. The sectors focused on, but not limited to, are: the arts, entrepreneurship, investment, fundraising, networking, technology, and innovation.

Wanna Social Network… In Real Life?: We held some focus groups last year and it became apparent to us that the 20/30 demographic in Midcoast Maine wants to be more involved. We have designed some events to bring them together to socialize, network and tell them more about the events we have coming up. We had the kick off event in March at Billy’s Tavern and it was a great success! We will be having more. These events are not meant to exclude, but actually the opposite – they’re meant to include! Learn more on our website or facebook.

Monthly Networking Events: Midcoast Magnet will broadcast events happening within the community and invite interested parties to go to the event together. At least one of our board members will be there to welcome and network with you. The outings range from art walk nights, plays, techy gatherings, and more. Let us know if you have an event you would like to promote and we will add it to our calendar and put it in our newsletter.
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Many Ways To Get Involved...

• Start coming to events! Email info@midcoastmagnet.com to get on the list. You will receive updates on upcoming MM events, as well as other happenings in the Midcoast and beyond.

• Stay tuned for the new www.midcoastmagnet.com - we will be announcing it soon.

• Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/midcoastmagnet

• Join our board: The Midcoast Magnet board is always expanding and always looking for people that want to contribute. We would love to meet with anyone interested! Email Amber Heffner and come to our next board meeting.

• Join a committee: We welcome volunteers for all of our programs! You don’t have to be a board member to join a committee. Contact the Committee Chair for more information.

Pecha Kucha: mary.bumiller@bangor.com

Build Green Maine: georgemcallas@msn.com
Juice Boxes: kimberlycallas@mac.com
Monthly Networking: jasiecostigan@yahoo.com
Juice 3.0: aheffner@littleharbortech.com
Fundraising: skip.bates@bangor.com
Social Networking: jasiecostigan@yahoo.com

Maine Arts Commission Offers Funding

Maine Arts Commission
Offers Significant
Community Development Funding

Augusta, ME -- The Maine Arts Commission aims to develop stronger ties between cultural, business and governmental sectors with the launch of a new Community Arts grant.

The grant, aptly named Creative Communities = Economic Development (CCED), has a maximum award of $50,000 and is poised to support cultural and economic development efforts that will lead to real change in Maine’s communities.

“This grant is an exciting opportunity for the various sectors in the community to strengthen partnerships and build on what has already been achieved,” said Keith Ludden, Community Arts Associate for the Maine Arts Commission. “It’s a chance to think big, and effect real change in the community.”

“Maine’s distinct quality of place is its primary economic asset,” said Maine Arts Commission Assistant Director, Alison Ferris, “and Maine’s rich artistic and cultural heritage has contributed significantly to that quality of place.

“Artists such as Thomas Cole and Fredrich Church visited Maine in the 1840s and 1850s to draw and paint land and seascapes. On viewing these and other artists’ depictions of Maine’s environs, their urban patrons wanted to see the spectacular scenery for themselves. Artists and art-lovers have been visiting if not settling in Maine ever since and our vibrant art museums, galleries, schools and other art-related business are evidence of it. In fact, today over 8 percent of Maine's workforce – over 68,000 people—are creative workers, and they form an important part of Maine's vibrant communities."

The Maine Arts Commission is offering this new grant program to activate the concept that Maine’s quality of place is an economic asset. The CCED grant is designed to function locally to meaningfully support dialogue and partnership between municipalities and the cultural sector regarding the economic development of their communities. The grant will provide the cultural sector with significant funds to contribute to mutually agreed upon plans and initiatives that stimulate the local economy, strengthen the role of arts and culture, and enhance their community’s quality of place.

Two $50,000 CCED grants will be awarded to Maine communities in the fall of 2010. They will be awarded to communities that are well positioned to leverage funds from such sources as the Orton Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, or Community Development Bloc Grants. Candidate communities should also have good working relationships established between cultural, business and municipal sectors.

The application process requires a letter of intent that must be submitted to the Maine Arts Commission by a March 8, 2010 deadline.

Interested applicants should contact Keith Ludden, at the Maine Arts Commission, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov to discuss their potential project prior to submitting any materials. The guidelines for the Creative Communities = Economic Development grant can be found on the Maine Arts Commission’s website, MaineArts.com.