Augusta Maine jobs The Maine Arts Commission announces the deadline for the three grant programs that represent the heart of the agency's offering to arts organizations. Applications for the American Masterpieces, Cultural Facilities Accessibility, and Artists in Maine Communities programs are due Friday, March 7, 2008. Key changes have been made to these programs to make them more accessible to applicants.

The American Masterpieces grants are awarded to a limited number of professional Maine arts organizations with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or greater. The grants support presentations of major projects such as an exhibition or performance. They can also fund residencies or educational programs that feature American master works, movements or artists.

Beginning with the March 7, 2008 deadline, applications to the American Masterpieces program will be accepted in all disciplines whereas previously they were restricted to the visual arts.

"We welcome the opportunity to add applications from the major performing arts institutions throughout the state into the mix,” said Donna McNeil, director of the Maine Arts Commission. “We expect them to draw on their creativity to seek out and define the American masterpieces within their genre in the way that our six visual arts grantees have done in the past two years."

The second grant available at this deadline is the Cultural Facilities Accessibility grant which is awarded to professional, freestanding, Maine arts organizations to assist new capital projects and renovations as well as technology projects and/or improvements. The agency will continue to prioritize funding for renovations or technology upgrades that provide full accessibility to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The key change here is that the grant is now open to any non-profit arts facility for "general" structural or technological upgrades, especially when a case can be made for the positive impact to the artistic quality of the organization's offerings.

The third funding opportunity comes in the form of the Artists in Maine Communities program. This source of funding continues to be one of the agency's showcase grant programs in that it supports activities from all five of the agencies major programs: arts in education; contemporary arts; community arts; public art and traditional arts. Grants assist arts organizations, schools and other community groups to develop collaborative projects that employ Maine artists and provide artistic programs to Maine communities, schools or families. A special highlight for the program this year comes as the result of a settlement made by the Maine Attorney General's office in a multistate case against musical CD companies. The Attorney General generously earmarked these funds for Artists in Maine musical programs funded in the upcoming round of grants. This will allow the Maine Arts Commission to grow its support to that field.

For complete information on all three grant opportunities and directions on how to submit an application via eGRANT please visit http://mainearts.maine.gov/Grants/index.shtml or contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate & accessibility coordinator at 287-2750 877/887-3878 TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw, kathy.shaw@maine.gov.

AUGUSTA — Gov. John Baldacci and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director Bill Burney announced last week that Maine has received more than $10 million in federal grants to provide housing opportunities for people who are homeless.

Maine’s funding this year is an increase of $700,000 more than last year’s grant.

“This grant helps the state, municipalities and community-based organizations attack the problem of homelessness in Maine. This funding makes a real difference in our communities, providing shelter, stable housing and supportive services to the homeless through 48 homeless programs throughout the state,” Baldacci said. “These grants are critical in helping us to address long-term needs and move forward in our goal to end homelessness in Maine.”

Maine received two grants from the federal government. The Continuum of Care grant is awarded through a competitive process. This year Maine received $9.2 million from the Continuum of Care program which supports comprehensive services such as counseling, job training, child care, shelter and housing.

Additionally, Maine was awarded more than $860,000 in Emergency Shelter formula grants which support shelter, transitional housing and support services for the homeless.

"I'm very pleased that MaineHousing could compete on a national level and help secure this funding for Maine," said MaineHousing Director Dale McCormick. "HUD's continuing support makes it possible for us to provide more people who are homeless with longer term, more stable housing."

Nancy Fritz, director of Homeless Initiatives for the state, said that the federal Continuum of Care grant helps leverage several million dollars more in other funding to help people who are homeless, including MaineHousing funds to develop addition rental and supportive housing.

“Ending homelessness in Maine will take coordinated, sustained efforts from the federal and state governments, as well as our municipal and community partners,” Baldacci said.

Web Editor: Rhonda Erskine, Online Content Producer
Created: 2/18/2008 2:15:28 PM
PORTLAND (AP) -- The anti-gambling strategist who helped shoot down a proposed southern Maine casino in 2003 now finds himself battling casinos on both coasts.

Portland-based public relations operative Dennis Bailey was hired this month by opponents of a plan backed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to build three casinos in that state.

Bailey also is helping a group of residents of a Canadian border town in Washington state to launch an anti-casino campaign.

Bailey says his strong feelings about casinos evolved over time as he learned more about their negative impacts, particularly on the poor. He said he's become passionate about his anti-casino work, and that if he were in it for the money he would be working for the other side.

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