CMCA Announces New “Artist Toolbox” Statewide Initiative

The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) in Rockland has announced it will launch the “Artist Toolbox” in 2020, a new statewide initiative to provide professional development tools to artists.

Supported by a major grant from the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, the program is “a direct response to expressed needs in the field,” says CMCA Executive Director Suzette McAvoy. “Through our work, we’ve noted that many artists are underprepared to market and represent themselves in the changing dynamics of today’s arts and culture sectors. We’re launching the Artist Toolbox program to help meet these needs.”

CMCA has hired artist Kim Bernard of Rockland to administer the program in its inaugural year. Bernard is a seasoned instructor, having developed and led workshops on “Creative & Professional Practice” and “Artist as Small Business” at colleges and art centers throughout the country.

For CMCA’s Artist Toolbox program, Bernard will present a series of informative slide presentations at no cost to the venues or attendees throughout Maine, with the goal of reaching all regions in the state. The presentations will be followed by a series of intensive two-day workshops at locations statewide. Additional workshops and speakers, as well as online instructional materials on topics ranging from social media marketing, estate planning, tax preparation, and exhibition proposals are also being planned.

A schedule of Artist Toolbox presentations will be available on the CMCA website www.cmcanow.org in early 2020. CMCA is the longest running institution dedicated to contemporary art in Maine and is located at 21 Winter Street in Rockland.