About Us

The Machias Arts Council began in 2012, when six local artists founded Arts in Machias (AIM) to strengthen and celebrate the creative life of our community. By 2019, AIM had grown to 20 members and was hosting First Friday Art Nights and a variety of community events. After a pause during the Covid years, the organization reemerged in 2022 with a broader vision and a new name—the Machias Arts Council (MAC). In 2023, MAC became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, opening the door to expanded programs and partnerships. The years that followed brought major growth, including the launch of a theatre wing, new grant support, and the establishment of a dedicated arts center at 277 Main Street.

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What We Do

MAC now brings together more than 40 members representing visual arts, writing, music, theatre, and more. Our work spans theatre productions and original plays, creative writing contests and published anthologies, hands‑on workshops and community events, public art projects, rotating exhibitions, and partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and local organizations. Everything we do is rooted in our mission to foster creativity, cultural engagement, and community connection across Washington County.

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Today & Tomorrow

The Machias Arts Center at 277 Main Street is becoming a vibrant hub for creativity, featuring gallery space, workshop areas, and a growing retail section that highlights local artists. Current initiatives include adult and children’s workshops, arts programming in correctional facilities, expanded theatre productions throughout the region, and new sponsorship and donor opportunities that help sustain our growth and deepen our impact.

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Join Us

MAC welcomes artists, patrons, and neighbors to be part of our mission: Arts for All. Together, we’re building a future defined by accessibility, diversity, creativity, and inclusion—one that celebrates the vibrancy of the arts along the Bold Coast.