Haystack Mountain School of Crafts to Receive $30,000.00 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is pleased to announce a Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This grant will support The Downeast Maine Arts Residency, a program focused on empowering artists and strengthening the community through digital fabrication and STEAM. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards, totaling more than $27 million, which were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”
The Downeast Maine Arts Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is a digital fabrication focused residency for artists, using technology to advance the field of craft and integrate with a community maker space program aimed at economic development and STEAM education. The program draws from the School’s national network of artists and makers, bringing diverse perspectives and skills to the local Deer Isle community through the residency. By inviting these leaders in craft and technology to the School’s winter Fab Lab, located at Haystack's Center for Community Programs, residents will advance their work and research through unlimited access to tools like 3D printers and CNC milling machines. Public workshops, exhibitions, and educational programs are key components of this residency, fostering a space where the creativity of our visiting artists and the curiosity of the local community intersect.
“The Downeast Maine Arts Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts represents a groundbreaking opportunity for us to engage with our national community of artists and makers. This initiative aims to foster connections between artists and the local community, enriching both through the exchange of ideas and cultural practices,” said Haystack’s Technology Director, James Rutter. “Moreover, it provides a unique platform for experimenting with the integration of technology and traditional craft. Through focused, concentrated efforts, we are encouraging our network of experts to explore new methodologies and contribute to an expanding body of knowledge. As a pilot program, we are optimistic about its potential to pave the way for future community-based residencies, further enhancing our commitment to innovation and collaboration in the arts.”
The inaugural 2024 cohort is Janet Hollingsworth of Boston, MA, Rob Hart of Cambridge, MA, Shaunta Butler of Seattle, WA, and Ryan McDermott of Mesa, AZ. The first session will run from February 26 — March 8, 2024, and the second from March 25 — April 6, 2024. The residents will engage with the Deer Isle community with free public lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on workshop sessions. Through this integration, the School aims to create a mutually enriching experience with residents gaining a unique context for their work and the community benefiting from exposure to innovative practices and ideas. Haystack will share information about the free public events via the School’s E-newsletter, website, and social media.
Visit the Downeast Maine Arts Residency page for more information about the program.