Bangor News
9/15/2015 - City of Bangor Announces ARTober, a Citywide Celebration of Arts and Culture in Bangor
The City of Bangor's Commission on Cultural Development is proud to announce the inaugural ARTober, a citywide celebration of arts and culture in Bangor set for October 1-31, 2015. More than 80 events are planned in 30 venues across the city, from galleries and museums featuring visual artists, to musical performances, educational workshops, film screenings, lectures, walking tours, dance performances, and much more. Venues include the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Bangor Opera House, Bangor International Airport, the Bangor Mall, the Bangor Public Library, public parks, and a number of local shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses.
ARTober has been in the works for the past year with The Commission on Cultural Development’s team of volunteers—including Chair Kiersten Piccininni and Marketing Committee members Elisabeth Young and Emily Burnham—engaging in a comprehensive outreach effort. By reaching out to Bangor's many arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, and venues, a full slate of programming has been generated with the majority of events being free and open to the public. ARTober coincides with the National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM), a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. It is designed to encourage people to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts.
"The Commission is thrilled to highlight Bangor's vibrant culture and artistic verve in a special, dedicated month," said Piccininni. "So much happens here, and it's time to push the year-round programming so many organizations offer."
The ARTober guide features a listing of events, along with a map and breakdown of each hosting venue, and original artwork created by local artist Chris Peary. It is currently available at locations all over the city including City Hall, Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bangor Public Library, and a number of downtown businesses. A downloadable, mobile-friendly PDF will be updated each week to reflect even more events than are listed in the print version. The PDF version is available online at bangormaine.gov/artober.
Funding for ARTober is provided by Maine Community Foundation, which awarded a $10,000 grant for the event to the City in 2015. In addition, many of the organizations and individuals planning ARTober events have contributed their own time and effort towards making ARTober a busy, exciting month. A free, all-ages kick-off party is set for 7-10 p.m. at the Union Street Brick Church (126 Union Street), featuring music from local bands Nevah and the Galley Rats, dance performances from the Haus of Paradigm and Robinson Ballet, food and a cash bar, and much more.
For more information, visit bangormaine.gov/artober, email culturalcommission@bangormaine.gov or call (207) 992-4234.
The Commission on Cultural Development enriches and advances Bangor as a vibrant city of arts and culture. Its mission is to support art and culture through funding, marketing, advocacy, and education to benefit citizens, visitors, and the economic and cultural vitality of the city. The Commission values all of Bangor’s artistic and cultural community, and warmly welcomes artists to attend.
The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 33,039 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.