Archipelago, which has featured arts and crafts from islanders for a quarter century at the Island Institute’s Main Street storefront, will be closing at year’s end.
“At the end of 2025, Archipelago will be closing,” Laura England, associate director for marketing for the Island Institute, confirmed on Oct. 9 in an email statement. “In 2026, Island Institute will begin transforming the first floor into a new community engagement space where our employees, partner organizations, and others will gather. Although a bittersweet transition, we’re proud of the many wonderful years of the store’s work to provide opportunities for Maine creative economy. In the 25 years since Archipelago first opened, the store has returned more than $5.5 million to its participating artists and makers. We are proud to have been part of the growth in Maine’s creative economy.”
She said Island Institute will have more details to share next year on the future community space.
The Island Institute’s website states that since opening in 2000, Archipelago has advanced the careers of more than 1,500 Maine residents, while playing a pivotal role in Rockland’s emergence as a dynamic center of arts and culture.
“In doing so, it has become a prominent element of Maine’s creative economy. As an economic development program of the Island Institute, Archipelago staff spend over 400 hours a year mentoring artists to increase skills and knowledge for running arts-based small businesses. Archipelago also offers the Artists and Makers Conference every April providing workshops, keynote speakers, and networking to support art-based businesses throughout Maine,” the website states.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.