Island Institute awarded $240,000 grant from the National Academies to support disaster preparedness in Maine’s island and coastal communities

ROCKLAND, ME – Island Institute announced today that it has received a $240,000 grant through the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to fund a collaborative project that focuses on disaster preparedness in Maine’s island and coastal communities and addresses threats faced from environmental change and natural disasters related to sea level rise.

Island Institute recognizes energy innovator, community champion at 7th Annual Island Energy Conference

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.

Registration Opens for Artists & Makers Conference Scheduled for April 7

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. 

Island Institute publishes first edition of “Waypoints: Community Indicators for Maine’s Coast and Islands” – with summary analysis and detailed data on 120 communities

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 School swaps old bulbs for LEDs with new grant

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.

Maine island virtual reality experience debuts in Rockland during Camden International Film Festival

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.

Archipelago features artists in celebration of Fall

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.

Island Institute will increase energy efficiency projects in rural communities with $230,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant

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).