Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) has been awarded a $224,143 Museums for America (MFA) grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This grant will fund the expansion of programs that help Maine public schools integrate African American and Ethnic Studies, as well as Wabanaki Studies, into their curricula. This is the first time in 23 years that CMTM has received this prestigious grant, and it is the only institution in Maine to be awarded an MFA grant for Fiscal Year 2024. CMTM will use the grant to develop and expand programs that align with Maine’s mandated African American and Ethnic Studies and Wabanaki Studies curricula. Collaborating with local organizations, artists, musicians, performers, and storytellers, the Museum & Theatre will create on-site outreach programs that center community voices. Additionally, professional development opportunities will be provided for Maine educators to enhance their capacity to implement these new curricula. The grant will also support the production of a new play adapted from a children's book authored by a member of one of the represented communities. “This grant brings augmented and interactive resources to connect with the culturally diverse history and background of the land we currently call Maine,” said Julie Butcher Pezzino, the museum’s executive director. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2RW2PVT #childrensmuseumandtheatreofmaine #cmtm #museumsforamerica #imls #maine #portlandme #portland

We are thrilled to announce the addition of five dynamic individuals to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine's (CMTM) Board of Directors. Each new member brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective that will enhance our ability to serve the community and our mission. Additionally, CMTM has voted in a new executive board consisting of longstanding members who will oversee the executive functions of the organization for the next twelve months. New Board Members include: Keyla Alston-Griffin (Digital Philanthropy Collective), Cameron Peden (United Way of Southern Maine), Katie Porter (Pierce Atwood LLP), Rose Splint (Consultant), and Maya Williams (Poet, Writer, Poet Laureate of Portland). New Executive Committee Members include: Gail Ringel, Julie Ouellette (MaineHealth) - Vice President), Udai C. (FoW Partners) - Treasurer, Rose Parsons (Bank of America) - Secretary, Julia Trujillo Luengo (Maine Community College System) - At Large, and Kristin Valdmanis, Past President. We warmly welcome Keyla, Cam, Katie, Rose, and Maya to our Board of Directors and look forward to their contributions to the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. We also thank our newly elected Board leadership team for taking on this additional responsibility and aiding in the execution function for the next year. Learn more about our new Board Members here: https://lnkd.in/ezCz8-NN

We are Making Way For Ducklings at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine! A mallard duck has chosen to make her nest in the play structure of the Outdoor Adventure playground. To ensure the safety of her and her eggs, the structure is closed until the eggs hatch, and she and the ducklings depart. The community is rallying around this patient mallard and news of her expanding family is spreading far and wide. See coverage from WMTW-TV at: https://lnkd.in/ef7TYj2X

Thank you to Mikayla Patel with The Portland Press Herald's Forecaster, for sharing the why and art behind the Flying Colors Benefit Art Auction on Friday, May 10 at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Kifah Abdulla, a Portland resident and contributing artist to Flying Colors shared, "We need to invest in children and provide the right and creative environments for them to enjoy a healthy childhood...As an artist who loves children’s creativity, they often inspire me in making art.” Learn more about Flying Colors, and read the article at: https://lnkd.in/dm-X3cRA

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine is thrilled to announce the return of the Flying Colors Benefit Art Auction on Friday, May 10, 2024. This 21+ event promises to be an unforgettable night, celebrating local artists and supporting the organization's Community Fund. Tickets for the event are available now. RSVP: Secure your tickets at https://lnkd.in/eE6zQqVs The Flying Colors Benefit Art Auction will transform the Museum & Theatre into a vibrant art gallery, showcasing the work of over 100 talented artists from across Maine and New England. Attendees will explore three floors of vibrant interactive exhibits, have the opportunity to participate in a live auction, and enjoy a variety of entertainment and refreshments. The evening kicks off at 6 pm with an exclusive Host Committee Art Preview and Cocktail Hour, followed by the main event at 7 pm. Guests will enjoy live symphonic melodies provided by Kafari, indulge in gourmet bites provided by Big Tree Catering, and sip on colorful concoctions from Thompson’s Point. Event Highlights: Silent Auction: Participate in a Silent Auction across three floors of the Museum & Theatre featuring over 100 artists and varying mediums, from acrylic and oil on canvas to photography, wearable art, sculpture, original comic strips, and more.   Live Auction: Get ready to bid in real-time at the Live Auction in Maddy’s Theatre featuring a private lecture from a Wyeth family member, pieces from @Rachel Gloria Adams, Ryan Adams, Charlie Hewitt, an in-home mural by Rebecca Vlonsky, Maine-centered art experiences, and more.  Community Art Project: Engage with art on a personal level by participating in a collective paint-by-number project.  Entertainment: Enjoy music by Kafari and a live interactive performance by Unique Unknown & Friends. The event is made possible by a lengthy and incredibly generous list of over 100 host committee members and over 25 sponsors and underwriters. The sponsor list includes Camden National Bank, Big Tree Catering, Douston Construction, Red Thread, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Baker Newman Noyes, Portside Real Estate Group: Sarah Delisle + Sweeton Team, Pierce Atwood LLP, Fidelity Investments, Benchmark Real Estate, Coffee By Design, New England Cancer Specialists, Merrill's Investigations & Security, Sotheby's International Realty: Melissa McKersie, SOUTHERN MAINE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, LLC, Burr Signs, Clark Insurance - Marsh McLennan Agency, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, , Fleur De Lis Floral Designs & Gifts, Nelson Property Services, and additional support from Casco Bay Frames and Gallery, AV Technik, LLC, and Hunter Panels. Thank you to all the incredible individuals and businesses helping to make this event possible. Buy your tickets today and don't miss the Flying Colors Benefit Auction on May 10 at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

We are so grateful to our community and Portland Radio Group for selecting the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine as the GOLD recipient of 2023's Best of the 207: Museum! Being honored in this way by our community means the world to us. It's a testament to our dedication to providing engaging, educational, and fun experiences for children and families. This award recognizes the hard work and passion our team brings to CMTM each day. CMTM is the most visited museum in the state and the fifth most visited venue. We are committed to creating and nurturing a space that reflects and celebrates our immediate community and the state. It is incredibly humbling that over 200,000 visitors each year, over 70% of whom are from Maine, trust us to be a space where they can be themselves and know they belong. Thank you again, and we can't wait to play soon! #BestOf207 #ChildrensMuseumAndTheatreOfMaine #CommunityLove #ThankYou #PortlandRadioGroup

Our Executive Director, Julie Butcher Pezzino, spoke with Brian Maughan on the BUILT podcast about the process of imagining and building our state-of-the-art facility at 250 Thompson's Point in Portland, Maine. Julie took Brian through the organization's history, the hopes and dreams for the new space (including a theatre and aquarium), the planning and fundraising process, the build amidst a global pandemic, and the partners who helped make the 30,000-square-foot building and 10,000-square-foot outdoor play space a reality. Thank you to Brian, the BUILT podcast, and the BUILT podcast team for shining a light on the incredible process and now the realization of a child-focused facility where everyone belongs. Thank you also to our build partners: CMTM staff + board Bruner/Cott Architects Christopher Sullivan Creative Studios Hands On! Studio Zachau Construction Inc. And the countless local artists and industry professionals who all contributed to this project.

Wondering how you can help support imagination and discovery for youth and families by giving back to your community? The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine has a variety of areas where volunteers can make a difference! Today, we’re proud to spotlight Stone Coast Fund Services and their commitment to community engagement. Based in Portland, Maine, and the Cayman Islands, Stone Coast Fund Services is a professional services firm that provides independent fund administration to onshore and offshore hedge funds. Committed to superior service, long-term relationships, and investor confidence, Stone Coast comprises a team of over 200 experienced professionals who take pleasure in work done well and in working well with others. In their collective 156 hours of volunteering with CMTM in 2023, our friends at Stone Coast Fund Services have helped extensively with preparing for our biggest events, including this past year’s Halloween festivities. From cutting out and hanging decorations to preparing craft materials, we could not have done it without their help! AND they were back with us this week, helping Mama Dinosaur prepare for our DINO Egg Hunt weekend of events. Thank you to the entire Stone Coast team for supporting our mission and helping ensure every child can imagine and learn through play. Interested in volunteering at CMTM? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eTxqjJce #childrensmuseumandtheatreofmaine #cmtm #volunteer #stonecoastfundservices #portlandmaine #portland #maine #volunteerspotlight

The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine was presented with the 2024 Hospitality + Tourism Excellence Award at this year's Visit Portland Annual Meeting. This award celebrates our commitment to showcasing the authentic spirit of the Greater Portland region through creativity, world-class services, and a dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. 🌟 A huge THANK YOU to Lynn Tillotson and the team at Visit Portland for recognizing the efforts of our incredible staff, board, and community. Our diverse team, spanning over 65 individuals across multiple departments, has turned our vision into a vibrant reality, making CMTM a space where all children belong. 🌈 This recognition is a testament to our role in enhancing Portland's tourism, bolstered by our partnership with Visit Portland. It's a celebration of how collaboration lifts us all. 🚀 We're proud of our journey and the experiences we offer, from the Beautiful Blackbird exhibit to our Maine Watershed aquarium. Each aspect of CMTM is crafted to reflect Greater Portland's essence, thanks to the dedication of numerous local businesses and artists. 🐟🎨 Thank you again to Visit Portland for this incredible honor. 🥳 #CMTMAward #CMTM #CommunityPride #VisitPortland

If you’ve gotten creative 🖌️ in our MakerSpace this month, you may have noticed a change in our signature look! Our aprons have gotten an update to feature Hancock Lumber🪵, our longtime partner who sponsors the popular WoodWorks area in our MakerSpace exhibit. Featuring workbenches, tools, and wood from the Hancock lumber yards, WoodWorks invites children to learn how to use wood and hand tools with a MakerSpace staff member. Tools may include screwdrivers, drills, hammers, and sometimes even saws! 🪚 "We are incredibly grateful to the Hancock Lumber team for their ongoing support and creative philanthropic spirit, which truly hits the nail on the head! Their dedication enriches hands-on tactile experiences for young learners, including our new Art for Tots program. (Hancock Lumber’s) recent donation of size-appropriate aprons for makers and volunteers working in the space underscores the importance of fostering a safe and engaging environment for children to explore the wonders of working with tools and wood. Partnerships like (this one) help create the building blocks for a lifetime of discovery and play." - Julie Butcher Pezzino, Executive Director, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine Thank you to Hancock Lumber for the years of partnership, support, and PLAY! ❤️ To learn more about this partnership, visit https://lnkd.in/eswKqAGk #childrensmuseumandtheatreofmaine #cmtm #makerspace #woodworks #hancocklumber #partner #creativekids #portlandme #portland #maine