A preponderance of evidence demonstrates that when arts and educational organizations take a leadership role in rural community and economic development, they drive results in extraordinary ways. From defining regional identity, to attracting regional investments and expanding tourism, to fostering civic engagement from the schoolhouse to seniors, the arts play a critical role in creating vibrant, thriving communities. Snow Pond Center for the Arts (aka New England Music Camp Association) has embraced this leadership role in order to realize a vision of improving the quality of life for residents and visitors in Central Maine.
We have weighed the specific challenges of Maine along with those that other rural areas are facing against the inspiring potential we know this region possesses, and have developed a mission that describes our approaches to enhancing the quality of life in this region by leveraging the many gifts that the arts offer to all.
In pursuing this mission, we seek to pioneer approaches that are both innovative and replicable, and we continue to tap national networks for best rural practices to apply locally in support of creating systemic and sustainable change.