Waterville, Maine — Waterville Creates!, a non-profit supporting and promoting high-quality, accessible arts and cultural programs and institutions in Waterville, Maine, announces a gift in the amount of $25,000 from Northern Light Inland Hospital in support of the community capital campaign for the Paul J. Schupf Art Center.
Designed to bring together under one roof some of Waterville’s most beloved arts institutions, including the Maine Film Center, Common Street Arts, and a new gallery of the Colby Museum of Art, the Paul J. Schupf Art Center will be constructed on the current site of The Center building at 93 Main Street, directly adjacent to the Waterville Opera House and City Hall building and downtown’s central green space, Castonguay Square. Waterville Creates! and Colby College are partnering on this transformative project which will create a distinctive hub for visual arts, performing arts, arts education, and film for children and adults. In addition to enhancing Waterville’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture, this new facility will add vitality to downtown Waterville during both the daytime and evening hours and serve as an economic driver for the region.
“We believe that by supporting the creative arts in Waterville, we help strengthen our community’s health and well-being, and its overall quality of life,” says John Dalton, president of Northern Light Inland Hospital. “Inland’s Family Fun Series often collaborates with Waterville Creates! on arts events that connect families with young children to the importance of healthy eating and active living. We are pleased to support the growth of the arts in the community we are proud to serve.” Northern Light Inland Hospital’s gift was pledged in support of the $2 million community capital campaign being led by Waterville Creates! as part of the overall fundraising goal of $18 million for the project.
“Working with Northern Light Inland Hospital on free family programming, like Art in the Park held every Thursday this summer at the Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market, helps us reach a broader audience and provide community members with more engaging experiences,” says Shannon Haines, president and CEO of Waterville Creates! “We are incredibly thankful for their ongoing support of our programs as well as our community capital campaign.”
About Waterville Creates!
Waterville Creates! connects artists, cultural organizations, and the public with arts and cultural events and programs happening in our community. We firmly believe that art and culture have the power to enrich lives, strengthen community bonds, and serve as an economic engine. We promote and support arts education, exhibitions, theatre, film, music, and dance that is accessible to all residents and visitors. By helping to build a creative economy, Waterville Creates! is leading the effort to make Waterville an exciting cultural destination and a thriving, vibrant community. Learn more at https://www.watervillecreates.org. For more information about the ongoing community capital campaign for the Paul J. Schupf Art Center visit http://www.downtownartscenter.org.