Mainebiz

V O L . X X I I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 32 T he new Center for Maine Contemporary Art — housed in a building in itself an exam- ple of contemporary architecture — drew nearly 10,000 visitors in its fi rst three months in Rockland. at's well on its way to 2017 projec- tions of 35,000 to 50,000, and surpasses best-year visitation of 9,000 people in 2012 at the seasonal former site in Rockport. e new site opened June 26. " ere's been a dramatic and real change," says Suzette McAvoy, execu- tive director since 2010. "In Rockport, it was largely the art crowd — art- ists and arts supporters — who knew about us, not the general public. We were a destination. At receptions, 200, 250 people showed up, then that trick- led down to very little in-between." ings are diff erent in Rockland. "We've seen many more people. We have the arts community, but we also have the general public coming in — tourists, people from cruise ships and bus tours. We're part of First Fridays, and that's a whole range of people. Now we're seeing the fall tourist crowd, as well as school groups," McAvoy says. "We just had a group from the Maine College of Art, we have an elementary school group coming from Boothbay Harbor and we're working on activities with the Rockland school district. So we're seeing a much more diverse audience." Rockland move key to growth A non-collecting exhibition and educa- tion organization, CMCA was founded in 1952, in Rockport, as Maine Coast Artists, without a permanent space. Early exhibition venues included the Rockport town offi ce, a barn, storage loft and former schoolhouse. In 1967, CMCA purchased a 19 th century livery stable-turned-fi rehouse in Rockport for $1,650. It spent the next half-century there, off ering exhi- bition space and outreach programs. But as contemporary art changed — expanding in scale and media — it became clear the space was inadequate. Weight restrictions limited the size of sculptures that could be shown. Lack of technology restricted video and multi-media works. Low ceilings with open beams and wooden "ship's knee" supports every nine feet limited paint- ing height and width. Space was split between three fl oors, hampering load- in. Poor heating meant closing during the winter, limiting exhibits and out- reach. Parking, visibility and foot traffi c were suboptimal. "Much as it had charm and served the organization well for decades, the con- temporary arts fi eld had changed enough that it no longer suited us," says McAvoy. In considering a change of venue, CMCA had to decide on location. "We looked at diff erent possi- bilities — Portland, Bangor, Camden, Brunswick," says McAvoy. "Ultimately, we decided our roots are on the mid- coast and we should stay true to our roots. We also wanted to be in a com- munity that was embracing the arts. at was Rockland." Suzette McAvoy, executive director of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, says the institution drew 10,000 visitors in its fi rst three months, exceeding the 9,000 CMCA received in its best year at its old location. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y C M C A Rockland as cultural hub CMCA's first season boosts city's creative economy L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r F O C U S Gain time and reliability Call to start you transition to the cloud today Gain time and reliability Call to start you transition to the cloud today Your Custom IT Resource 207.729.7600 www.bekinc.net 9 Industrial Parkway #1, Brunswick 207.729.7600 www.bekinc.net Center for Maine Contemporary Art 21 Winter St., Rockland Year founded: 1952, in Rockport New site: Opened June 26. Features 5,500 square feet of exhibition space and is 11,500-square-feet overall. Total cost: $5.2 million Focus: Contemporary art, with year-round exhibitions, education programs and events Architect: Toshiko Mori, New York City Building contractor: Cold Mountain Builders, Belfast Executive director: Suzette McAvoy

• Cover