Maine Franco-Arts Prototype Directory Goes Online

Maine has the largest per-capita Franco-American population in the U.S.. The population of northern Aroostook County is predominantly Franco-American and Acadian. Cities like Lewiston-Auburn have a population that's 60-percent Franco-American. Other regions have retained a distinct cultural identity rooted in Franco, Quebec, and Acadian tradition.

Maine Franco Arts aims to serve as a comprehensive directory of Franco-American artists currently living and working in the state of Maine. This directory will be developed to strengthen connections between Franco resources in Maine and similar resources in New England and Canada.

Initial resources to the directory include the Maine Acadian Archives at The University of Maine at Fort Kent, The Franco American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn campus, The Allagash Historical Society, The Franco-American Women's Institute in Brewer, The Greater Grand Isle Historical Society, Madawaska Historical Society, Maine Acadian Heritage Council, Maine Franco-American Genealogy Society, Musee Culturel du Mont Carmel in Lille and St. Agathe Historical Society in St. Agatha.

Economic resources to date include Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Madawaska Area Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Van Buren Area Chamber of Commerce.

General resources include the Portland Press Herald's Franco American Blog, the Genealogical Society of York County, Geneology à la carte blog, Francophonie des Ameriques website and The Franco American Connection.

For more information on Maine Franco Arts contact the Director of Media Arts and Performing Arts at the Maine Arts Commission. Kerstin Gilg, 207/ 287-6719 - kerstin.gilg@maine.gov