Keynote Speaker

Mark H.C. Bessire
Judy and Leonard Lauder Director
Portland Museum of Art

Art For All: Culture’s Role In Maine’s Sustainable Future

Maine’s tourism economy is largely supported by three pillars—unrivaled natural beauty, an acclaimed food industry, and a beloved culture.

And yet, in the context of a multiyear pandemic and worsening climate crisis, we can see how vulnerable our food and nature-based foundations may be in a rapidly changing world. Maine’s cultural identity, however, offers opportunities toward sustainability in new and transformative ways.

Arts and cultural institutions have a responsibility in this moment of change, not only because Maine’s cultural landscape is one of the most renowned in the country, but because culture reflects values, and Maine’s values reflect its communities. By championing environmental leadership, social justice, and a diversity of shared experience, we have the potential to lay a new, sustainable foundation for our rural and urban communities throughout Maine.

Over the last decade, the Portland Museum of Art has been working alongside communities to ensure Maine’s culture—and economic draw—is defined by diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity (DEAI). After years of listening, learning, and strategic planning together with the myriad people who call Maine home, we are taking substantial steps to reimagine our campus, collection, and communities through a DEAI lens and an Art for All mission.

This evolution is rooted in our belief that DEAI is sustainability. In Maine there is a colloquial saying that anyone not born here is “from away,” but we believe that our state’s future must be grounded in belonging. Only through belonging can we truly ensure sustainability across our natural resources, industries, economies, and communities.

It’s time.

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