Creative Portland Corporation — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-01-07
Time: 15:30

84 Free Street | Portland, ME | 04101 | 207-370-4784


 Board of Directors Meeting
 Wednesday, January 7, 2026
 3:30 PM
 Via Google Meet

 AGENDA


1. Welcome and President's Comments
 A. Consent Agenda: November financials & November minutes
 VOTE: to accept consent agenda
2. Executive Director Update
 A. Staff Update
 B. December Events - Holiday Events Calendar
 C. Monday Morning Drop By - January 5 & FFAW January 2
 D. CP Gallery - Art Salon Feb FFAW. Curatorial team forming for Spring Exhibition (2026)
 E. Art Activation Fund, Artist Applications (in response to Open Call)
 F. Local Updates: Art Banners in Arts District & Custom Wharf fire
 G. Fundraising Initiative: Giving Tuesday January 6 e-blast
 H. 92 Parris Street Update Monday Morning Drop By - January 5 & FFAW January 2
3. Board Business
 A. Executive Committee discussion (FY27 November consideration)
 B. City Appointee recommendation/City Council approval: Dave Page, CMO, Visit Portland
 C. Board Share
4. FY26 Board Meeting Dates: February 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3.

84 Free Street | Portland, ME | 04101 | 207-370-4784


 Board of Directors Meeting
 Wednesday, January 7, 2026
 3:30 PM
 Via Google Meet

 AGENDA


1. Welcome and President's Comments
 A. Consent Agenda: November financials & November minutes
 VOTE: to accept consent agenda
2. Executive Director Update
 A. Staff Update
 B. December Events - Holiday Events Calendar
 C. Monday Morning Drop By - January 5 & FFAW January 2
 D. CP Gallery - Art Salon Feb FFAW. Curatorial team forming for Spring Exhibition (2026)
 E. Art Activation Fund, Artist Applications (in response to Open Call)
 F. Local Updates: Art Banners in Arts District & Custom Wharf fire
 G. Fundraising Initiative: Giving Tuesday January 6 e-blast
 H. 92 Parris Street Update Monday Morning Drop By - January 5 & FFAW January 2
3. Board Business
 A. Executive Committee discussion (FY27 November consideration)
 B. City Appointee recommendation/City Council approval: Dave Page, CMO, Visit Portland
 C. Board Share
4. FY26 Board Meeting Dates: February 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3.




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Accrual Basis Creative Portland
 Statement of Activity
 Profit & Loss
 Budget vs. Actual
 July through October 2025

 $ Over
 Jul - Nov 25 Budget % of Budget
 Budget
 Ordinary Income/Expense
 Income
 4100 · Operations (unrestricted) 65,421 70,958 -5,537 92.2%
 4200 · Programs 6,128 81,458 -75,330 7.52%
 Total Income 71,549 152,417 -80,867 46.94%
 Cost of Goods Sold
 5000 · Cost of Programs 39,999 86,313 -46,313 46.34%
 Total COGS 39,999 86,313 -46,313 46.34%
 Gross Profit 31,550 66,104 -34,554 47.73%
 Expense
 6000 · Marketing 1,978 3,021 -1,043 65.48%
 6100 · Personnel 68,245 73,292 -5,046 93.12%
 6200 · Occupancy Expenses 3,947 3,833 114 102.97%
 6300 · Travel 140 1,250 -1,110 11.2%
 6500 · Professional Services 9,574 15,250 -5,676 62.78%
 6600 · Operating Expenses 6,066 6,350 -284 95.53%
 Total Expense 89,950 102,996 -13,046 87.33%
 Net Ordinary Income (58,400) (36,892) -21,508 158.3%
 Other Income/Expense
 Other Income
 7000 · Other Income-Expense 41 25 16 165.32%
 Total Other Income 41 25 16 165.32%
 Net Other Income 41 25 16 165.32%
 Net Income (58,358) (36,867) -21,492 158.3%




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Accrual Basis Creative Portland
 Statement of Financial Position
 As of October 31, 2025


 Nov 30, 25 Oct 31, 25 $ Change % Change
 ASSETS
 Current Assets
 Checking/Savings
 1010 · Creative Portland Checking 32,139 50,411 (18,272) -36.2%
 1011 · GSB Savings 5265 98,625 98,617 8 0.0%
 1015 · Petty Cash 1,858 1,858 - 0.0%
 Total Checking/Savings 132,622 150,886 (18,264) -12.1%
 Total Current Assets 132,622 150,886 (18,264) -12.1%
 1220 · Other Receivable - - - 0.0%
 Total Other Current Assets - - - 0.0%
 Total Current Assets 132,622 150,886 (18,264) -12.1%
 Fixed Assets
 1400 · Fixed Assets 32,791 33,092 (300) -0.9%
 Total Fixed Assets 32,791 33,092 (300) -0.9%

 TOTAL ASSETS 165,413 183,978 (18,564) -10.1%
 LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 Liabilities
 Current Liabilities
 Accounts Payable
 2000 · Accounts Payable 853 - 853 100.0%
 Total Accounts Payable 853 - 853 100.0%
 Other Current Liabilities
 2100 · Payroll Liabilities 5,674 5,674 - 0.0%
 2500 · Fiscal Sponsorship Liability 67,708 70,554 (2,845) -4.0%
 Total Other Current Liabilities 73,382 76,227 (2,845) -3.7%
 Total Current Liabilities 74,234 76,227 (1,993) -2.6%
 Total Liabilities 74,234 76,227 (1,993) -2.6%
 Equity
 3100 · Unrest'd Net Assets 149,538 149,538 - 0.0%
 Net Income -58,358 -41,787 (16,571) -39.7%
 Total Equity 91,179 107,751 (16,571) -15.4%

 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 165,413 183,978 (18,564) -10.1%




 Page 2 of 2
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 Creative Portland Board Meeting Minutes
 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 (in person)

Attendance:
Board Members:
Kate Anker (Immediate Past President), David Brenerman, Lindsay Hancock, Clare E. Hannan
(Vice President), Herb Ivy (President), Zsofia McMullin, Dinah Minot (Assistant Secretary),
Councilor Regina Phillips (ex officio), Matt Schwach (Secretary), and Greg Watson (ex officio)​
Absent: Tae Chong, Lucy Comaskey, Gib Foltz, Eliza Ginn, Daniel Minter
Staff: Dinah Minot, Walks Tall Keith

New Board Members joined at 4:15pm: Heidi Dikeman, Mike Bove, Haj Carr, Lee Hartman

General Public: Nancy Martin/HEDD

Board Meeting Summary

1. Welcome & President’s Comments (3:33pm)

Herb Ivy called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees.

2. Consent Agenda (3:33pm)
October Minutes, October Financials

Action: Vote to approve the Consent Agenda:

Motion first by David Brenerman and seconded by Clare E. Hannan.​
Unanimously approved.​


3. Executive Director Update (3:37pm - 4:20pm)

Monday Morning Drop By

 ●​ The November Monday Morning Drop By was a very productive gathering, lots of
 connections were made.
 ●​ Highlight:Nash & Co. (general store for the arts) is opening up in November 2025.
 Owner, Jamie Nash.
 ○​ They plan to participate in the First Friday Art Walk.

Presentation to the City:

 ●​ We are submitting our 16th Annual Report on November 17th, 2025 to the City Council.
 ●​ We are hoping to secure a City Council workshop. The HEDC Committee is also a
 possibility as a portal for articulating Creative Portland’s value to the City.




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 ●​ The City Council presentation should be straightforward and simple. Forget about a
 video. TECH issues.

Advancement

 ●​ Giving Tuesday e-blast will go out in December.
 ●​ We applied for the MAC Organization Operations Grant.
 ●​ We will apply for a Onion Foundation grant in the new year.
 ○​ Dinah will consult with Lindsay to work on this together.
 ●​ The Hunt Foundation now allows us to submit an application without a renewal form
 (after 5 years of funding). We hope to be awarded $3,500 annually.
 ●​ Through the Tourism Development District, the city does retain some funding (10% for
 admin).

Marketing Wheel Programs (App, Website, Newsletter, Social Media)

 ●​ In the new year, we will build a new Marketing Analytics Report to assess growth and
 traffic.
 ○​ Will include data on app, website, social media and newsletter analytics +
 testimonies.

Artist Activation Fund

 ●​ We are raising money to hire artists to activate empty storefronts in the Arts District. This
 will complement the City’s Vacancy Ordinance/cling art project.
 ●​ Sample project: Tim Goldkin (Portland artist), who makes vintage cyanotypes, is a
 possible arts installation.
 ○​ Matching Fee - $1000 budget for artists/installation (example, $500 from CP and
 $500 from the property owner)

Fundraising Campaign

 ●​ Digital outreach this year vs sending a physical mailer.
 ●​ Consider a calendar push notification to our app subscribers.
 ●​ Dinah will send letters to regular donors.
 ●​ We will provide a fundraiser flier (PDF) with board members to share with their networks

Newsletter

 ●​ The November newsletter got more attention (66% open rate), more clicks than usual,
 and strong feedback from the community about their appreciation for the data, updates
 on the creative economy and hurdles we are facing as a community.
 ●​ A few people expressed interest in joining the 2026 Arts & Culture Summit steering
 committee.




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Creative Portland Art Gallery

 ●​ Artist Salon to be held at CP during FFAW on February 6, 2026 for ACCEPTANCE
 exhibiting artists to share their processes and to discuss their work. Nine artists have
 signed up to participate.

Volunteers

 ●​ USM Career center is a good resource for seeking interns for next summer.

General

 ●​ Dinah is going to Waterville for a field trip 11/20 & 21 to meet with Waterville Creates and
 other arts organizations.

4. Vote on Executive Committee Slate (4:16pm)

Action: Vote to renew Executive Committee Slate for 2025/2026: Herb Ivy, President, Clare E.
Hannan, VP, Matt Schwach, Secretary, Dinah Minot (non-voting Assistant Secretary), Gib Foltz,
Treasurer and Kate Anker, Immediate Past President.

Motion first by Kate Anker and seconded by Lindsay Hancock.​
Unanimously approved.

5. Vote to Elect Board members (4:17pm)

Action: Vote to elect five board members: Clare E. Hannan (renewal), Haj Carr, Samson
Hamilton, Heidi Dikeman, Lee Hartman

Motion first by Lindsay Hancock and seconded by David Brenerman.​
Unanimously approved.

6. Greet new board members (4:20pm - 4:47pm)​
New board members joined the in-person meeting at 4:15pm

Each Board member introduced themselves, including newcomers Heidi Dikeman, Haj Carr, Lee
Hartman and Mike Bove. Note: Two board members Mike Bove and Elyse Grams were
appointed by the City’s nominating committee.

 ●​ Haj Carr, CEO Trueline, a recruiting, marketing & publishing firm, based in Yarmouth.
 Previously had an exhibition space on 561 Congress St and participated in the Art Walk.
 Excited to help expand the Art Walk. Is a professional salsa dancer. Teaches salsa
 dancing from 6-7 at Salute on Marginal Way.
 ●​ Heidi Dikeman, Director of Design at Portland Museum of Art.
 ●​ Mike Bove, English professor at SMCC, founding board member for Organization of
 Public Schools, on board at Mockingbird Foundation (grants program for the last 4
 years). Part of Maine Writers & Publishers Association (MWPA).




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 ●​ Lee Hartman, Director of Advancement & Outreach for performing arts at USM. Crewe
 Center, 250th All Steinway School in the World.
 ●​ Discussed board structure and potential committees with new board members.
 ●​ Brief description of format for Work Plan creation, which we vote on every June.
 ●​ Building and sustaining the local arts ecosystem. The app is very important. We currently
 have 5,000 downloads.​


7. Board Business & Board Share (4:47pm – 4:49pm)

 ●​ David Brenerman, Daniel Minter, Kate Anker and Gibrian Foltz will all term out next
 November 2026, after being on the board for 9 years.
 ●​ Herb gave a final welcome to new board members and a thank you to those on their way
 out as well as those staying on.​


Next Board Meeting: January 7, 2026 at 3:30pm.​
Motion to Adjourn: Lindsay Hancock​
Seconded by: Kate Anker​
Unanimously approved.​


Meeting Adjourned: 4:59pm​
Meeting minutes submitted by Walks Tall Keith.




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