(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 by either calling 207-287-2713, or via e-mail at 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.

>direct link to the CCED grant

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