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The announced Dec. 9, 2010 that a coalition of Biddeford organizations - , the Â鶹´«Ã½, and the - will receive a $50,000 grant to effect community revitalization.

The grants, designed to support dialogue and partnership between municipalities, business and the cultural sector regarding economic development, are the first to be awarded through the Maine Arts Commission's new Creative Communities = Economic Development Grant (CCED).

The four Biddeford organizations will use the grant to expand existing arts and cultural events and initiatives and develop a plan to convert a downtown Biddeford property into multiuse exhibition space and live/work housing.

They will also work toward several ambitious, long-term objectives, from the establishment of a downtown arts district to the execution of a comprehensive, collaborative effort to promote affordable live/work opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs in downtown Biddeford.

Exhibition Space for UNE

One of the specific objectives of the grant is to identify exhibition space for Â鶹´«Ã½to host a series of faculty and student shows, and actively integrate more of the University's vibrant academic and intellectual programming into downtown Biddeford.

"The receipt of this grant is a great opportunity to further develop UNE's important relationship with Biddeford," said Stephen Burt, associate professor and chair of Â鶹´«Ã½Department of Creative and Fine Arts. "For students in the Department of Creative and Fine Arts, developing an exhibition, taking work out of the studio and into the community in which they live, is an important lesson in real artistic practice."

Burt added that "art in the community can be a powerful and empowering force for social and economic change. For our students  to participate in 'real world' art exhibitions as part of a ongoing effort in community development is a really wonderful and special privilege."

Mark Nahorney, Â鶹´«Ã½assistant dean of community life, explained the grant "presents an excellent opportunity to build upon the recent collaborations between Â鶹´«Ã½and the area arts organizations. The strong relationship between Â鶹´«Ã½and City Theater is a prime example of realized possibilities. The student organization Â鶹´«Ã½Players has for the past three years staged their major productions at Biddeford's City Theater." 

Out of that connection students have acted and stage managed City Theater Associates productions with one student, junior Chase Sheaff sitting on the Theater's Board of Directors.

"Student participation has been a boost to the local art offerings," Nahorney said. "Whether it be volunteering and creating sidewalk art at the Heart of Biddeford's annual Chalk the Walk, showing their art work or sculpture in the North Dam Mill, attending a Art Walk or performing at City Theater, Â鶹´«Ã½students are an important contributor to the local art scene. The grant will provide additional avenues."

Creative Assets of the Community

The coalition is already committed to strengthening, diversifying, and multiplying the artistic and creative assets of our community.

In close collaboration with the city's Planning and Economic Development Department and other local partners, the coalition will take an inclusive, holistic approach to enhancing Biddeford's existing cultural opportunities, while building new, urgently needed programs and projects that will spur creative industry and bring working artists to our city.

"This grant is further validation that Biddeford—with its incredible geographic location, architecturally stunning Main Street, and millions of square feet of pristine mill space—is fertile ground to continue growing its creative community," said Joshua Bodwell, co-founder of Engine. "That the Maine Arts Commission chose to look favorably upon our application is not only humbling, but a mandate to effect change. We will move forward guided by our belief that commerce follows culture."