We work at the state and local level to encourage, promote, and strengthen education in and through all the arts for all Maine students.
Who we are
The Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening education in and through all the arts for all Maine students. For more than five decades, MAAE has served as a unifying voice for arts education—bringing together educators, students, teaching artists, schools, cultural organizations, and partners from across the state.
Through advocacy, collaboration, and program partnerships, MAAE works to ensure that the arts remain visible, valued, and accessible in Maine’s schools and communities. Our work supports high-quality arts learning experiences while also recognizing the essential role the arts play in interdisciplinary learning, student engagement, and creative problem-solving.
By elevating student and educator voices, supporting teaching artists, and leading statewide advocacy efforts, MAAE connects creative learning to educational practice, public policy, and community life. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future for arts education in Maine—one that reflects the creativity, diversity, and potential of every learner.
Who We Serve
The Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) serves K–12 students across Maine, supporting learning in and through the arts in all educational settings. Our work reaches every student and every educator—across disciplines, grade levels, and communities—without membership requirements or barriers to access.
Why We’re Excited
Since our founding in 1973, MAAE has championed student engagement through arts-integrated learning, recognizing the arts as a powerful driver of creativity, connection, and deep understanding across all subject areas. Today, we are energized by a growing alignment with the Maine Department of Education’s interdisciplinary vision, which reflects our long-held belief that teaching and learning are most impactful when content areas work creatively and collaboratively together. This shared momentum strengthens our collective ability to support educators, empower students, and elevate learning statewide.
We envision a Maine where every student has access to meaningful arts education — regardless of geography, background, or school resources — and where creativity is recognized as a vital part of learning, wellbeing, and civic life.
What we do
Building Community Through The Arts (BCTA)
BCTA is MAAE’s artist residency program where professional teaching artists work with high school classrooms to explore creative collaboration, build community, and deepen engagement through theatre and dance.
MAAE’s role:
MAAE coordinates these residencies, partners with schools, and supports teaching artists to bring real-world creative practices into learning environments where students reflect on meaning, identity, and shared experience.
Arts Are Basic Coalition
The Arts Are Basic Coalition is a statewide advocacy partnership that amplifies the importance of arts education in Maine. Made up of professional arts educators and partners from across the state, ABC unites voices in support of arts access and equity.
MAAE’s role:
MAAE leads the ABC Coalition, bringing together Maine’s arts education organizations to advocate with a common strong voice for the visual and performing arts in all Maine schools.
Student Leadership Groups (SLGs)
Student Leadership Groups give Maine’s arts students a platform to build leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and share their experiences in advocacy and education conversations.
MAAE’s role:
MAAE supports SLGs as the student-led wing of the ABC Coalition, offering opportunities for young people to engage in advocacy initiatives like Maine Arts Education Advocacy Day, contribute to statewide conversations, and develop networks of student advocates.
Why Art Education Matters
In the words of Maine’s students …..
“Through art, we learn to see the world differently, express ourselves authentically, and to connect with others on a deeper level. We develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Moreover, arts education improves our lives. It fosters empathy and understanding of different cultures and perspectives. It provides a healthy expression of emotions and a space for personal growth.
So, the next time someone tells you art class is unimportant, remember: it’s not just about the final product, it’s about the process, skills, and experiences that shape who we become. Let’s fight to keep arts education alive, not just for our own personal growth, but for a more creative, expressive, and understanding world.”
-Jillian Webster, SLG Student Advocate
Belfast Area High School Art Honor Society
