Arts groups approve 5 community projects

The Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council have approved five community arts and humanities projects.

Five projects in high school classrooms will use theater and dance residencies to explore literature, history and visual arts. At Stearns in Millinocket, Hermon High School, Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford, Penobscot Valley in Howland and Nokomis in Newport, students will work with resident artists to create theater or movement performances.

In Portland, Arts and Humanities funds will support the Diversity Is Strength Masquerade, organized by the Museum of African Culture. In Lewiston, the Franco-American Heritage Center will develop a mural celebrating Franco-Americans’ contributions.

Receiving Organizational Development Grants are: Bates Dance Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Center for Cultural Exchange, Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft, Eastport Arts Center, Friends of Art and Film in Central Maine, Maine Highlands Guild, and the Salt Institute.

The Maine Arts Commission awarded nine Good Idea Grants of up to $1,000 for artists chosen for the MaineArtistAccess directory. Recipients are: Margaret E. Libby, Oakland; Jill Dalton, Portland; John Whalley, Damariscotta; Janice Kasper, Swanville; Lucy Barber, Brunswick; Marci Jan Bronstein, Belfast; Carole Hanson, Damariscotta; John Bowdren, Pownal; and George Pearlman, St. George. For information, visit www.Maine

Arts.com.