The Monhegan Artists Residency Corporation (MARC) is the recipient of three grants to support its programming. A $7,500 grant from the Quimby Family Foundation will cover operating expenses for the two annual five-week artist residencies. Grants from the Horizon Foundation and the Maine Arts Commission of, respectively, $6,400 and $1,900 are supporting the new two-week Artist-Educator Residency.

“The Quimby Family Foundation and MARC share a mission: to provide accessibility to art opportunities for Maine residents,” Susan Danly, chair of the residency board, said. The five-week residency allows for creative exploration and experimentation “ … in the crucible of artistic tradition that is Monhegan Island in a time when an extended stay is beyond the financial reach of most Maine artists,” Danly said.

The Monhegan Artist Residency was among a handful of organizations to receive full funding from the Quimby Family Foundation for the third year in a row. This summer, Maine-based artists Kristen Fitzpatrick and Daniel Anselmi were the artists in residence.

Danly said the Maine Arts Commission grant provided important seed money to launch our new artist-educator initiative this summer. The Horizon Foundation grant will help maintain it over the coming summers. Melinda Campbell, a K-6 Art Specialist with the Auburn School Department, was the first artist-educator this past July.

The Monhegan Artist Residency, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014, has hosted 44 Maine artists on Monhegan Island. The program depends upon the financial support of individual donations and foundation grants.

For further information about the program, the application process and former artist residents, visit: www.monheganartistsresidency.org.