Snow Pond Center for the Arts - Summer Concert Series

What Would This Look Like ?
The broad question that seems
to be on everyone’s mind is: How
do we create more economic prosperity
here in Maine? More specifically,
what would a better Sidney,
Belgrade Lakes, or Central Maine
look like? What are the things we as
a community need to do to attract
and retain our younger families, to
create more jobs, to make Central
Maine a very attractive place to live
and work? There is certainly lots
of activity and discussion on this
topic with our political and business
leaders and no shortage of
opinions. As we develop our path
for Snow Pond Center for the Arts
it is important for us to be mindful
of these collective efforts and more
importantly for us to do our part
in shaping a positive future for our
students and residents alike.
As an actuary by training, I am
most interested in data and trends
of other places that have populations
similar to Central Maine.
What we consistently see is that a
common ingredient of all vibrant
communities is first and foremost,
great schools and usually diverse
cultural opportunities as well.
What is also particularly interesting
is that the data is very clear and
consistent; students with music
training do better in school, in civic
engagement, and in leadership.
Music cultivates all of the traits we
most value in our citizens - creativity,
collaboration, critical thinking,
empathy, leadership, social skills,
and more. The differences are
especially profound for children of
lower income families.
With this in mind, we have
started very detailed discussions
and partnerships with the area
schools in the broadest sense which
include all of the local colleges, the
public schools (starting with RSU
18), and with the after school programs.
The goal of all of our programs
(both existing and planned)
is the same: to enrich and enhance
what is already in place and in the
end help create a school system and
community that is attractive to new
residents and new businesses. There
is also awareness of the scale needed
to make a notable difference.
The growing Community Music
School and the Outreach Programs
provided music to over 300 children.
We are currently exploring a
music based after school program
in partnership with RSU18 and the
Alfond Youth Center which would
provide music, academic support,
and recreation to each child every
day. Finally, we have a team developing
a plan for ‘Snow Pond Arts
Academy’, a high school charter
school. This includes looking at
the feasibility of being Maine’s first
school district authorized charter
school (with RSU18 and possibly
others).
The pages that follow provide
more details on our future plans
and programs. We welcome your
input on any aspect of our programming
or community building.
If we want to build a better
Central Maine - starting with great
schools – what would this look
like??? Please email your thoughts
to: john.wiggin@snowpond.org
.
. . John Wiggin
Executive Director - Snow
Pond Center for the Arts
15