About MAAE
About MAAE
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. The organization works in partnership with educators, teaching artists, schools, and community organizations to expand access to high-quality arts learning experiences and to advocate for the essential role of the arts in education.
For more than five decades, MAAE has supported arts education and interdisciplinary learning across Maine. Since its early beginnings in the 1970s, the organization has worked alongside educators, arts organizations, and state partners to promote access to arts education for all students, regardless of school, location, or background. While programs and partnerships have evolved over time, MAAE’s focus has remained consistent: strengthening education through the arts and ensuring that creativity remains central to learning in Maine schools.
MAAE serves as a statewide connector and advocate for arts education, bringing together schools, teaching artists, students, and community partners to support creative learning environments that engage the whole child through direct programming, advocacy initiatives, and coalition-building.
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. The organization works in partnership with educators, teaching artists, schools, and community organizations to expand access to high-quality arts learning experiences and to advocate for the essential role of the arts in education.
For more than five decades, MAAE has supported arts education and interdisciplinary learning across Maine. Since its early beginnings in the 1970s, the organization has worked alongside educators, arts organizations, and state partners to promote access to arts education for all students, regardless of school, location, or background. While programs and partnerships have evolved over time, MAAE’s focus has remained consistent: strengthening education through the arts and ensuring that creativity remains central to learning in Maine schools.
Our Mission:
To work at the state and local level to encourage, promote, and strengthen education in and through all the arts for all Maine students.
Our Vision:
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.
Please see our Calendar of Events for upcoming events & meetings
What We Believe
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The arts are essential to a complete education
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Every student deserves equitable access to arts learning
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Arts education strengthens academic, social, and emotional development
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Teaching artists play a vital role in schools and communities
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Student and educator voices are powerful tools for advocacy
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Collaboration builds stronger, more inclusive learning environments
MAAE Partners
MAAE collaborates with statewide partners and coalition members to advance arts education through advocacy, programming, and shared leadership. MAAE’s statewide partners include organizations such as the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Arts Commission, and the Cultural Alliance of Maine, with whom MAAE works alongside on initiatives and events.
MAAE’s Arts Are Basic (ABC) Coalition
Arts Are Basic (ABC) Coalition Members represent arts education associations across disciplines, including music, visual art, theatre, dance, and physical education. These associations work collectively to support arts education policy, professional collaboration, and student engagement.
MAAE’s Board of Directors
MAAE is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of educators, artists, administrators, and arts advocates from across Maine. The Board provides strategic leadership, fiscal oversight, and guidance to ensure that the organization remains mission-driven and responsive to the needs of Maine’s schools and communities.