By Jennifer Ruth
Staff Writer for Houlton Pioneer Times
HOULTON — The Houlton Community Arts Center’s fund-raising efforts remain strong throughout the community and Houlton’s Key Bank in Market Square has joined the long list of people and businesses working with the organization to bring a better arts center into the community.
Key Bank Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President Robert Faulkner presented members of the Houlton Community Arts Center with a check to kick off the bank’s donation.
“We are pleased to have Key Bank become one of our sponsors in our efforts to raise funds for our project,” said Joe Fagnant, president of the Houlton Community Arts Center. “This is a great example of a large bank supporting a project on a local community level. The Community Arts Center board appreciates the efforts of the Houlton branch and the Key Bank employees that were instrumental in making this donation happen.”
Faulkner moved efforts along by requesting the support from the bank officials and he said they showed a keen interest in wanting to support the center.
“It’s such a worthy cause and we need to dig deep, even in tough times because it’s going to be a huge boost for the area,” explained Faulkner. “I was the one who put in the request and I got strong support with it. We’re donating $15,000 total — with a pledge of $5,000 over the next three years.
“It’s a definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.
The Community Arts Center will provide an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the area. The expansion will include 13,000 of new space for separate band, chorus, theatre and dance rehearsals, as well as increased storage space and a larger stage to accommodate performance and exhibits. Approximately $750,000 has been raised over the past year.
The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and fundraising committee has planned an aggressive fundraising campaign for the next several months. This 501C3 organization is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the 2007 November bond referendum. More information about the campaign can be received by calling Joe Fagnant at 694-3041 or going to www.houltonarts.org.

Houlton Community Arts Center Capital Campaign

Receives $10,000 from Houlton Savings Bank of Maine

The Houlton Community Arts Center received a welcome financial boost from the Houlton Savings Bank of Maine of a $10,000 donation to the fine arts wing expansion project being planned for Houlton High School. 

In an official statement: Houlton Savings Bank of Maine is pleased to be a sponsor of the Houlton Community Arts Center project.  Our corporate giving goal is intended to make a positive impact on the needs in our communities.  At the Savings Bank of Maine, we believe that being a good neighbor and giving back to our communities serve as benchmarks to our success.  By providing this sponsorship we are committing to the growth of a community-based project that will positively impact the lives of many of our area youth. 

Al Butler, Senior Vice President,  ” As a lifelong resident of Houlton, I am very proud of our school district’s well-known and widely respected music and arts program.  It is very exciting to see our community come together to support a performing arts center that will benefit that program and provide a venue to host other performing events.”

Dean Clark, Vice President  ” SAD #29 is a vital partner within our community, we are very pleased to be a part of this project as it will positively impact the lives of many for years to come.”

 ”We have had many individuals working towards this project and to have Houlton Savings Bank of Maine come on board at this time of our fundraising efforts is a nice positive lift to our campaign, “said Joe Fagnant, president of HCACC.  “Local support is building and we appreciate the efforts of Houlton Savings Bank of Maine as they take a leadership role in supporting the community.”  Funds raised through the Houlton Community Arts Center capital campaign will allow for a renovation of current arts space at Houlton High School and the addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction as a visual and performing arts center.

The Center will allow for an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the community, separate band, chorus, theatre and dance space, increased storage space, and a larger stage to accommodate performances and exhibits.

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council, is a 501C3 organization that is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the recent bond referendum that was supported by voters of MSAD #29. 

Our efforts in grant writing have begun to pay off as our contracted grant writer, Sue Glick, wrapped up some important work that lead to HCACC receiving a $20,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation of Falmouth, Maine. The foundation supports education, medical and cultural/arts organizations located primarily in Maine. The Houlton Community Arts Center was able to focus on the education and arts portion of the application process.

“Sue did a wonderful job with highlighting our project and we were able to complete their requirements in a timely fashion” stated HCACC President, Joe Fagnant. There are several other granting networks that HCACC is currently working on and more information will be posted.

Houlton Community Arts Center Capital Campaign

Receives $30,000 from Katahdin Trust Company

HOULTON: The Houlton Community Arts Center Council (HCACC) has received a donation of $30,000 from Katahdin Trust Company in support of their on going $2.5 million capital campaign.

 ”We recognize the significant contribution that the arts and cultural programs have in the overall development of our communities,” said Jon Prescott, President & CEO of Katahdin Trust Company “and we are pleased to support this very important initiative that will help to strength the economic vitality of the southern Aroostook area.”

Katahdin Trust Company with roots dating back to 1918 is the largest community bank in northern Maine.  With nearly $420 million in assets, the bank provides personal and business banking services from offices in Ashland, Caribou, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Island Falls, Limestone, Mars Hill, Oakfield, Patten, Presque Isle, Van Buren and Washburn, online at http://www.katahdintrust.com/, and operates a loan production office in Scarborough. . 

 ”The support of a prominent bank such as Katahdin Trust Company is a major boost to this project” said Joe Fagnant, president of HCACC.  “This gift will lead us through these next several months of fundraising.”  Funds raised through the Houlton Community Arts Center capital campaign will allow for a renovation of current arts space at Houlton High School and the addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction as a visual and performing arts center.

“I strongly support the project and the construction/expansion of this facility which will continue our musical tradition and provide a showplace for generations to come,” stated Annette Beaton, Vice President & Manager of Katahdin Trust Company Houlton office.”

The Center will allow for an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the community, separate band, chorus, theatre and dance space, increased storage space, and a larger stage to accommodate performances and exhibits.

 ”As the parent of a child involved in the Houlton School of Dance and a life-long believer in the benefits of school/community music programs, I personally feel the Houlton Community Arts Center is the next step in providing a state of the art facility to take our musical programs to the next level,” said Barrett Potter, Asst. Vice President and Commercial Services Officer for Katahdin Trust Company.  “The communities of the Greater Houlton Area are blessed to have had a strong music history and that legacy continues on today.” 

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council, is a 501C3 organization that is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the recent bond referendum that was supported by voters of MSAD #29.  The aggressive campaign has an eight-month time line in place so that the project can meet goals to move forward in a timely manner.  More information about the campaign can be received by calling Joe Fagnant at 532-6551.

 The Houlton Community Arts Center recently received a $50,000 donation from York’s of Houlton toward it’s capital campaign.

“To have a local business support this project with such a significant contribution is a true indication that the creative economy is important to our area ,” explained Joe Fagnant, President of the Houlton Community Arts Center Council.  “The future arts center will not only give the music and art program much needed space for education, it will also become the focal point for this very supportive community.  I am pleased that York’s of Houlton has taken this step to change the face of education and the arts for the greater Houlton area.”

“We’re happy to be able to support the Houlton Community Arts Center project.  It’s going to be a real plus to southern Aroostook because it will not only help the students immediately by providing dearly needed space, but it will aid the local economy by adding another element to attract and retain people, “stated Jerry York, Owner and General Manager.  York’s of Houlton has been in business since Gerard York purchased Ralph  L. Berry Co. in 1968.  Jerry and Dick York joined the Ford dealership in 1975.   They expanded the company to include vehicles from Toyota, Lincoln, Mercury, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick for a total of eight franchises.  The dealership then became York’s of Houlton.   

“It is such a boost to this campaign when a local business steps forward to support the much needed project,” said Fred Grant, Co-Chair of the Campaign.  “The major contribution from York’s of Houlton puts the project in the lime light, and drives us in the process of bringing other businesses and individuals on board to join the campaign.”  

On November 6^th, voters will also have the opportunity to support the project by voting yes on the municipal bond question #1.  The Houlton Community Arts Center Council (HCACC) and MSAD #29 school board have collaborated on a $5 million bond referendum that will bring $2.5 million to complete renovations at Houlton High School and provide $2.5 million to the Community Arts Center.  The  HCACC is a 501C3 organization that is charged with raising an additional  $2.5 million in matching funds to go toward the renovation of the auditorium and an addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction for a state-of-the-art visual and performing arts center.

There has been a lot of great activity happening regarding the fine arts wing expansion project at Houlton High School and the Houlton Community Arts Center Council is beginning to share the great news with the community. The council and its volunteers invite everyone to come visit their information booth on July 3rd, at 7pm during the McGills Community Band Midnight Madness concert and also to the July 7th craft fair from 10am-4pm. Both events will take place in Monument Park. The booth will be staffed by volunteers that will be assisting in educating and making the public more aware about the project. There will be architectural plans for the building, pictures, pamphlets and other information available. The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and the community members invovled in the Fundraising Committee have been hard at work developing the project and moving it towards the next phase. Come visit the booth or go online to our expanding website, houltonarts.org, to see what has been happening with the project.

HCAC as an educational arts center
The entire community will benefit from greater space for youth and adult programming and significantly more opportunities for music, art, dance, theatre, lectures and seminars. HCAC will meet the cultural needs of a growing community and eliminate crowded educational space for high school and middle school students. Southern Aroostook residents will benefit from a modern, spacious facility that brings together choral and instrumental music, visual arts, dance, sculpture, and other arts.

HCAC as an economic development tool
The rapidly expanding creative sector is a significant factor in Maine’s economic development. From music to art, communities are enhanced through the establishment of greater creative arts opportunities. The Houlton Community Arts Center will be an economic stimulus in northern Maine, improving the quality of life for residents of Aroostook County. The center will assist in attracting a more mobile and educated workforce, promoting cultural tourism, and encouraging entrepreneurial activity.

HCAC as a proving ground for young student talent
This new innovative space will provide an arts wing that includes band and chorus space, a dance theatre, rehearsal space and a creative arts room. Students will have enhanced opportunities to develop and hone their creative arts abilities in a supportive and nurturing environment.