MMPA

Established in 2010, The Maine Museum of Photographic Arts is the only museum in Maine dedicated exclusively to photography.

Dear Friends of the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts,

What a transformative year 2024 has been for MMPA.  As we reflect on the past twelve months, we’re struck by the extraordinary level of artistry, scholarship and engagement community that has passed through our doors.

Our exhibition program reached new heights this year, showcasing exceptional talent including our current exhibition, American Bedroom by Barbara Peacock, which is being featured by 207 television. We’re particularly proud that our artists have captured significant media attention, with Eugene Cole featured in the Bangor Daily News, Joyce Tenneson on WABI 5, and Barbara in The Forecaster and Portland Press Herald.  To complement our exhibitions, we’ve established partnerships with Radius Books and MWEditions, bringing carefully curated monographs that enhance the artwork on our walls.

This year brought meaningful growth to our organization.  We welcomed new board member Caroline Savage, whose expertise in organizational administration, grant writing and arts leadership is already strengthening our foundation. We’re also delighted to announce our first staff addition -Michelle Kane, a talented SMCC undergraduate who has streamlined our operations and will soon begin working with our collection.

Our programming evolved thoughtfully this year.  What began as Print Night- our spring initiative celebrating works on paper- has transformed into a comprehensive philosophy that now infuses everything we do.  We’ve invested in our space with new flat files, chairs, and lighting to better serve this mission.

Like many cultural institutions, we faced our share of challenges.  October brought an unexpected flood from the residential units above, forcing us to temporarily close during our Energy in Flux exhibition, which featured some of Maine’s most accomplished photographers.  While the closure was difficult, it prompted valuable reflection on our mission and sustainability.  After 15 years of operation, this moment of pause proved instrumental in clarifying our path forward.

As we look toward 2025, we remain deeply optimistic despite the broader challenges facing the global art world.  We’ve emerged stronger, more focused, and more committed than ever to our mission.  We can’t wait to share our exciting plans when we reopen after winter break in April.

None of this would be possible without you – our visitors, patrons, and supporters. Your encouragement and participation sustain us and inspire us to reach higher.  From our first exhibition of the year featuring Paula Tognarelli’s Collection through our holiday celebrations with the Baxter Society, you’ve been there every step of the way.

With gratitude and best wishes for 2025,

Denise Froehlich

Director, Maine Museum of Photographic Arts