The Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts Fund of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $107,901 to 12 organizations across Maine that promote traditional handcrafts.

2021 Grants from the Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts Committee

Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, to upgrade and update the center’s aging IT infrastructure to better support current operations and advance new online initiatives such as the free video library: $7,500

Cobscook Institute, Lubec, to sustainably expand inclusive traditional handcrafts programs for the long term by investing in strategic planning, program development, and improved operational systems: $10,000

Eastport Arts Center, for general operations that sustain its mission: $10,000

H.O.M.E. Inc., Orland, to purchase supplies for the Homeless Shelter Quilt Project to introduce people experiencing homelessness to traditional Maine crafts: $9,531

Main Street Art Studio, Inc., Sangerville, to hire professional handcrafters to instruct volunteers to teach future craft courses: $7,500

Maine Media College, Rockport, to expand the Book Arts Program to include paper-making for use in making art books: $5,450

Monson Arts, to support a four-day retreat and planning session for 12 of Maine's experienced and emerging furniture makers to develop ideas for new work: $9,700

Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport, for a series of workshops spotlighting local Maine traditional fiber arts with hands-on and historical components: $8,220

Schoodic Arts for All, Winter Harbor, to offer educational opportunities in traditional handcrafts: $10,000

Tides Institute & Museum of Art, Eastport, to expand the StudioWorks Residency Program to include four handcraft artists with educational opportunities to learn handcraft techniques and traditions: $10,000

Trenton Elementary School, to start an annual school Maine Arts Festival to introduce students to traditional and native handcrafts and connect students to the local artist community: $10,000

Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, to safely reopen in 2021-2022 with expanded programming in new year-round and fully accessible studio constructed during the pandemic year: $10,000

2021 Grant from Donor-Advised Fund

Houlton Band of Maliseets, Houlton, to implement a cultural- and community-driven arts program from which future generations can benefit: $10,000

The next grant application deadline is June 1, 2022. The online application, guidelines, and a complete list of 2021 grants are available at www.mainecf.org. For more information, contact Leslie Goode, senior program officer, at (207) 412-2002 or lgoode@mainecf.org. 

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Mars Hill, and Rockport, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.