Help fund Maine Artists Cohousing!

Peter Haller is organizing this fundraiser.

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Help us establish an intentional community for Maine's artists!

Can you imagine a unique community, designed and inhabited by members of Maine's incredible creative public? Tens of thousands of artists across various disciplines and neighborhoods create the indelible essence of our state's unique character and way of life. The arts in Maine are acknowledged and buoyed by the non-profit, business and hospitality sectors as an economic powerhouse. Yet, essential underpinnings such as viable housing and studio space get harder and harder for artists of all disciplines to acquire, both in Maine's more rural towns and hyper-popular urban centers.

Our village would have obtainable and modest private residences intertwined with common areas, including a shared studio building, auditorium/gallery and community garden space. We look forward to accommodating families of different sizes and feel it is crucial to nurture a multigenerational mix of neighbors.

Our founding residents have begun meeting regularly as well as hosting public outreach events. We have published a project summary which can be viewed in PDF form on our website homepage.

We are now reaching out to various creative supporters, organizations and stakeholders like you for help bringing this vision to life. We need your support to accomplish our goals in a way that best suits the needs of many different artists, art practices, skills, and backgrounds. We sincerely appreciate your help covering our pre-development costs.

Why are we fundraising? Where exactly is the money going to go?

Steering Committee stipends - we believe in paying people for their work. Right now our founding residents are working in their free time on a volunteer basis. Stipends will help us devote more time and feel supported in these efforts!
Small admin expenses - print materials, website, zoom account, events and outreach supplies, etc.
Consulting/Development - to move from our Explore Phase to an Assess Phase, we need funds to hire consultants to help with feasibility and location studies, etc.
Legal and Governance Structure Help - professional assistance to incorporate, draft bylaws and set up our governance processes.
Future Funding/Fundraising - help with grants, other types of fundraising, and funding options.

We are embarking on this ambitious, but necessary journey and ask for your support. No amount is too small. Through this process of building our community, we will be connecting a skilled and innovative network of local partners to strengthen the attainable housing and studio space options for Maine creatives at large. We intend to develop a replicable model for future villages like this. So please help us launch this groundbreaking project. It takes a village, so let's build one!