USM Portland Campus
About this Event
Creative Portland invites you to Portland's 6th Biennual Arts & Culture Summit
on September 22, 2026 at USM Portland campus from 9-5pm
Artists, arts administrators, creative entrepreneurs, designers, planners, architects, students, nonprofit leaders, politicians, community stakeholders, city staff, angel investors, and private business leaders are invited to participate.
This summit will address internal strategic planning and cultural plan implementation. Topics will include Economics of the Arts, Cultural Civic Landscape, Cultural Tourism and breakout sessions offering resources and opportunities to share in community.
A new breakout session this year will include Speed Dating for Artists featuring professional advisors offering expertise and answering questions about career pursuits in diverse artistic disciplines.
All arts community stakeholders are welcome to attend. Artists and creatives can register for free, on a first come, first served basis. All others can "pay what you can" with a suggested donation of $15 per registrant.
Creative Portland is incredibly grateful to the University of Southern Maine for sponsorship of the event with in-kind services and venue donation. Parking is available at the adjacent lot to Hannaford Hall off Bedford Ave.
Click here to review the full summit agenda, speaker list, and archive on our website.
Questions about the event? Contact Kate at Creative Portland at 207-370-4784 or [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
6th Biennial Portland Arts & Culture Summit
Info: University of Southern Maine Portland Campus
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Coffee and Registration
Info: Located on the second floor of the McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success
🕑: 09:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Morning Session
Info: A welcome reception followed by a summary of cultural highlights from the past two years and a discussion of the arts in cultural tourism.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
Info: Located at Abromson Community Education Center featuring tables from Maine Art Collective, MECA&D Artists at Work, One Longfellow Square, PortTIX, Portland Media Center, Running With Scissors Art Studios, Visit Portland, Surf Point, Hogfish and more
🕑: 01:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Afternoon Session
Info: Breakout sessions at Abromson Community Education Center including: Economics of the Arts & Arts Advocacy, Partnerships & Collectives, Speed Dating for Artists, Creative Problem Solving, Accessibility Practices, and AI: Practical Applications for Marketing, Artistic Expression, & AI Educational Tools
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Happy Hour
Info: Located at Crewe Center for the Arts. Featuring a performance by Palaver Strings at 5:30pm
Event venue & nearby stays
McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.