BANGOR, Maine — The Bangor City Council has formally declared next month ARTober, a monthlong celebration of arts and culture in the Queen City.
Planned by the Bangor Commission on Cultural Development, the celebration will showcase more than 80 events and exhibitions, including live performances, art exhibits, lectures and workshops at 30 venues across the city.
A complete listing of events is available on the city’s website at www.bangormaine.gov/artober.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to endorse the inherent value of arts and culture [and] praise their contribution to society,” said Caitlin Brooke, the city’s business development specialist and downtown coordinator.
In June, the cultural commission received a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation for support and programming related to ARTober. That doubles the commission’s annual budget appropriation from the City Council of $10,000.
Venues for ARTober include the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Bangor Opera House, Bangor International Airport, Bangor Mall, Bangor Public Library, public parks and numerous local businesses.
According to the cultural commission, most ARTober events will be free and open to the public. Its slate of events was developed by reaching out to numerous arts and cultural organizations in Bangor.
“So much happens here, and it’s time to push the year-round programming so many organizations offer,” said Kiersten Piccininni, who chairs the cultural commission.
ARTober coincides with National Arts & Humanities Month, a nationwide recognition of the importance of culture in America.
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