Press Releases

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – The Island Institute kicked off its seventh annual Island Energy Conference in South Portland today by recognizing two groups for their work as energy leaders and champions for Maine’s island communities. The Island Energy Innovation Award was presented to the Monhegan Plantation Power District for recent upgrades made to the island’s power station which will create cleaner emissions and incorporate renewable energy into the island grid, and the board and staff of the Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative received the Island Institute Community Champion Award for their work in securing a pathway for affordable electric power for the people of Swan’s Island and Frenchboro.

BELFAST, ME—The fourth  annual Artists & Makers Conference will be held on Friday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast. Hosted by Archipelago and the Island Institute, the one-day event will offer practical tips and strategies to help grow arts businesses and is open to all artists and makers who live and produce work in Maine. 

ROCKLAND, ME – The Island Institute released today the first edition of Waypoints: Community Indicators for Maine’s Coast and Islands. The publication presents economic, community and environmental indicators for Maine’s coastal and island communities as they compare to the rest of the state and the nation.

ISLESBORO, ME—Islesboro Central School (ICS) has been awarded $2,000 for LED lighting upgrades in the first grant from the Island Institute’s Spark! Fund. The Spark! Fund supports community-based energy projects with energy-saving and educational outcomes on Maine’s year-round islands and remote coastal communities.

ROCKLAND, ME—Until you’ve experienced virtual reality through a headset, it might be hard to imagine why media companies around the world are so excited about this cutting-edge technology. But, once you’ve tried it, you understand that it can instantly transport you to another place and time. In this case, you could be transported to beautiful islands off the coast of Maine - anytime you like.

ROCKLAND, ME—Fall brings color and beautiful light, subjects Kathleen Perelka and Betty Heselton explore in their artwork. New paintings are currently on display in the Archipelago Fine Arts Gallery, the Island Institute’s gallery featuring the work of Maine artists. Perelka and Heselton will be featured along with new work by Herb Parsons, Kendra Denny, Catherine Worthington, Ben Coombs, Wayne Hall, Jennifer Field, Joe McBrine, Jody Meredith and Janice Jones.

ROCKLAND, ME—Just as Maine homeowners prepare for another heating season, Rockland-based Island Institute is gearing up to implement "Bridging the Rural Efficiency Gap," a two-year, $232,351 project recently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program Competitive Grant program through the Maine Governor's Energy Office (GEO). 

ROCKLAND, ME—Archipelago Fine Arts is celebrating summer with a new exhibition including Jean Kigel, Caroline Loder, Dylan Metrano, Lacey Goodrich, Wayne Hall, Michele O'Keefe, Stephanie Crossman, Jeff Barrett, Carolyn Kemp, and Lin Lisberger. The public is invited to a reception at the First Friday Artwalk on August 5th. The show will be up until August 28th.

KENNEBUNK, ME—We’re excited to share with you our latest environmental initiative. We’re partnering with the Island Institute, a key community nonprofit organization near and dear to our home state of Maine. Ramblers Way Farm employees will contribute 5% of their paid work hours volunteering for the Island Institute.

NORTHPORT, ME—As Maine’s largest river system, the Penobscot River carries a deep cultural and economic history of our region. The future health of this vast watershed will be discussed at the first Penobscot Watershed Conference, April 9, 8am-5pm at Point Lookout in Northport, Maine. We will kick off events with a free pre-conference film screening and panel discussion hosted by the Island Institute and other local and regional non-profit organizations.