Creative Portland Corporation — Portland, ME
Date: 2025-11-05
Time: 15:30

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


 Board of Directors Meeting
 Wednesday, November 5, 2025
 3:30 PM
 84 Free Street, Portland (Meet at CP Headquarters - In Person only)

 AGENDA


1. Welcome and President's Comments
 A. Consent Agenda: October financials & October minutes
 VOTE: to accept consent agenda
2. Executive Director Update (Dinah)
 A. Monday Morning Drop By (Nov 3 recap)
 B. Annual Report FY25 to City Council - November 17, 2025 (TBC)
 C. Grant Pursuits - MAC Organization Operations Grant
 D. Marketing Wheel Analytics Report (quarterly)
 E. Art Activation Plans
 F. Fundraising Initiatives
 G. Holiday Calendar
 H. CP Gallery - Holiday Window display & Acceptance Salon - FFAW Feb
3. Board Business
 A. VOTE: to renew 2025-2026 Executive Committee Slate

 • Herb Ivy - President
 • Kate Anker, Immediate Past President
 • Clare E. Hannan - Vice President
 • Matt Schwach - Secretary
 • Gib Foltz - Treasurer
 • Dinah Minot - Assistant Secretary

 A. Farewell & Thank you to four board members: Eliza Ginn, Lucy Comaskey, Dawn
 Reshen-Doty & Kirstie Archambault
 B. Board Of Directors Appointment Update: Three City Appointees: Matt Schwach
 (renewal), Elyse Grams & Mike Bove

 B. VOTE: to appoint five board members (recommended by nominating committee):

 1. Clare E. Hannan (renewal)
 2. Haj Carr (Trueline)
 3. Sampson Hamilton (Verrill Dana)
 4. Heidi Dikeman (PMA)
 5. Lee Hartman (USM)

 C. Board Share and Vote to Adjourn Meeting
4. FY26 Board Meeting Dates: January 7, 2026, Feb 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3.

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


 Board of Directors Meeting
 Wednesday, November 5, 2025
 3:30 PM
 84 Free Street, Portland (Meet at CP Headquarters - In Person only)

 AGENDA


1. Welcome and President's Comments
 A. Consent Agenda: October financials & October minutes
 VOTE: to accept consent agenda
2. Executive Director Update (Dinah)
 A. Monday Morning Drop By (Nov 3 recap)
 B. Annual Report FY25 to City Council - November 17, 2025 (TBC)
 C. Grant Pursuits - MAC Organization Operations Grant
 D. Marketing Wheel Analytics Report (quarterly)
 E. Art Activation Plans
 F. Fundraising Initiatives
 G. Holiday Calendar
 H. CP Gallery - Holiday Window display & Acceptance Salon - FFAW Feb
3. Board Business
 A. VOTE: to renew 2025-2026 Executive Committee Slate

 • Herb Ivy - President
 • Kate Anker, Immediate Past President
 • Clare E. Hannan - Vice President
 • Matt Schwach - Secretary
 • Gib Foltz - Treasurer
 • Dinah Minot - Assistant Secretary

 A. Farewell & Thank you to four board members: Eliza Ginn, Lucy Comaskey, Dawn
 Reshen-Doty & Kirstie Archambault



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 B. Board Of Directors Appointment Update: Three City Appointees: Matt Schwach
 (renewal), Elyse Grams & Mike Bove

 B. VOTE: to appoint five board members (recommended by nominating committee):

 1. Clare E. Hannan (renewal)
 2. Haj Carr (Trueline)
 3. Sampson Hamilton (Verrill Dana)
 4. Heidi Dikeman (PMA)
 5. Lee Hartman (USM)

 C. Board Share and Vote to Adjourn Meeting
4. FY26 Board Meeting Dates: January 7, 2026, Feb 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 June 2025

 Jul '24 - Jun $ Over
 Budget % of Budget
 25 Budget
 Ordinary Income/Expense
 Income
 4100 · Operations (unrestricted) 225,230 242,300 -17,070 92.96%
 4200 · Programs 11,858 45,000 -33,142 26.35%
 Total Income 237,088 287,300 -50,212 82.52%
 Cost of Goods Sold
 5000 · Cost of Programs 29,727 47,500 -17,773 62.58%
 Total COGS 29,727 47,500 -17,773 62.58%
 Gross Profit 207,361 239,800 -32,439 86.47%
 Expense
 6000 · Marketing 892 7,250 -6,358 12.3%
 6100 · Personnel 165,876 170,900 -5,024 97.06%
 6200 · Occupancy Expenses 8,088 7,800 288 103.69%
 6300 · Travel 0 3,000 -3,000 0.0%
 6500 · Professional Services 12,542 34,600 -22,058 36.25%
 6600 · Operating Expenses 12,254 15,290 -3,036 80.15%
 Total Expense 199,652 238,840 -39,188 83.59%
 Net Ordinary Income 7,709 960 6,748 802.91%
 Other Income/Expense
 Other Income
 7000 · Other Income-Expense 92 50 42 184.59%
 Total Other Income 92 50 42 184.59%
 Net Other Income 92 50 42 184.59%
 Net Income 7,801 1,010 6,791 772.28%




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Accrual Basis Creative Portland
 Statement of Financial Position
 As of June 30, 2025

 Jun 30, 25 May 31, 25 $ Change % Change
 ASSETS
 Current Assets
 Checking/Savings
 1010 · Creative Portland Checking 94,911 74,712 20,199 27.0%
 1011 · GSB Savings 5265 98,584 98,576 8 0.0%
 1015 · Petty Cash 1,558 1,558 - 0.0%
 Total Checking/Savings 195,053 174,846 20,207 11.6%
 Other Current Assets
 1220 · Other Receivable - - - 0.0%
 Total Other Current Assets - - - 0.0%
 Total Current Assets 195,053 174,846 20,207 11.6%
 Fixed Assets
 1400 · Fixed Assets 34,294 34,594 (300) -0.9%
 Total Fixed Assets 34,294 34,594 (300) -0.9%

 TOTAL ASSETS 229,347 209,440 19,907 9.5%
 LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 Liabilities
 Current Liabilities
 Accounts Payable
 2000 · Accounts Payable - - - 0.0%
 Total Accounts Payable - - - 0.0%
 Other Current Liabilities
 2500 · Fiscal Sponsorship Liability 78,022 76,991 1,030 1.3%
 Total Other Current Liabilities 78,022 76,991 1,030 1.3%
 Total Current Liabilities 78,022 76,991 1,030 1.3%
 Total Liabilities 78,022 76,991 1,030 1.3%
 Equity
 3100 · Unrest'd Net Assets 143,524.36 143,524.36 - 0.0%
 Net Income 7,800.93 -11,075.53 18,876 170.4%
 Total Equity 151,325 132,449 18,876 14.3%

 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 229,347 209,440 19,907 9.5%




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 Creative Portland Board Meeting Minutes
 Wednesday, October 1, 2025
 via Google Meet

Attendance:
Board Members: David Brenerman, Eliza Ginn, Herb Ivy (President), Dinah Minot (Assistant
Secretary), Matt Schwach, Lindsay Hancock, Greg Watson, Gib Foltz, Clare E. Hannan, Kate Anker
Staff: Dinah Minot
Absent: Daniel Minter, Tae Chong, Lucy Comaskey, Kirstie Archambault, Dawn Reshen-Doty,
Councilor Regina Phillips, and Walks Tall (staff).


1. Welcome & President’s Comments (Herb Ivy presiding) (3:31pm)
Herb welcomed everyone and announced that our annual meeting on November 5th will be in
person at 84 Free Street.

2. Consent Agenda at 3:33pm (September Minutes and August Financials)​
ACTION: Vote to approve Consent Agenda: Unanimously approved. Motioned by Lindsay
Hancock; second by Clare E. Hannan

3. Executive Director Report (Dinah Minot)
Ms Minot highlighted the success of Hear Here 3, which broke even due to a 20K plus donation
by the Maine Music Festival and large in-kind donations from sponsors including Headlight AV
and Transformit. 41K cash expense. 22K in-kind donations. Ms Minot shared insights on the
recent community event aimed at inclusivity, noting that 25% of attendees were under 40 years
old. She reported a high satisfaction rate from audience surveys, with 88% of respondents
loving the event. The remaining 12% liked it overall. Minot also mentioned the importance of
partnerships for future events and the potential for expanding the Maine Music Festival
weekend to include more local artists and venues.

She also acknowledged the marketing challenges posed by short notice announcements for
venue bookings like Merrill Auditorium, emphasizing the need for early planning for future
events, particularly programs such as the CP Gallery exhibitions, Hear Here, and the Biennial
Arts & Culture Summit set for September 2026.

4. Fiscal Sponsorships:
Minot presented two fiscal sponsorship requests: 1) Maine Tech Week and 2) an Emily
Dickinson Chamber Theater play, both deemed manageable. The Board appeared supportive
with no objections.

5. Grant Pursuits: expressed optimism regarding the pursuit of a new Amazon grant aimed at
supporting the arts sector and also discussed the complexities of developing an artist-driven art
center at 72 Parris Street, stressing the importance of collaboration and funding. The board also
addressed sustainability for future initiatives, with Eliza Ginn announcing her resignation after
this completed term, due to workload constraints, prompting discussions about formally




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acknowledging her contributions and welcoming new appointees Elyse Grams and Mike Bove.
Lucy Comaskey will also step down, along with Kirste Archambault, soon to be replaced
hopefully by Dave Page of Visit Portland. Mr. Page will apply through the City portal in January.

6. Board Business
Herb mentioned an EXCOM slate for 2025/26 to be presented in next few weeks for board vote
on December 5. Dinah introduced two potential board candidates, Sampson Hamilton and
Hodge Carr, emphasizing their relevant experience and enthusiasm for Creative Portland's
mission. She suggested that the board vote on these nominations at the beginning of the
November 5th annual meeting, allowing for their early involvement in year-end fundraising
discussions. Clare Hannan supports Haj Carr’s candidacy, noting his community engagement
and positive energy, and Dinah enthusiastically supports Mr. Hamilton’s candidacy,
recommended by Verrill Dana partner, Jim Cohen.

5. Community events and notices:
Minot shared updates on upcoming events including the grand opening of the USM Crewe
Center for the Arts, a game changer for Portland and Maine. She also mentioned other recent
community initiatives, including a recent chamber of commerce event focused on revitalizing
downtown Portland through art.

6. Revitalization Efforts in Downtown Portland:
Minot mentioned a recent Chamber event at Hannaford Hall regarding downtown Portland's
revitalization, where the mayor suggested using art to fill vacant storefronts. Greg Watson
indicated that the city is working on solutions to this issue and is seeking artists to provide
artwork for these spaces. He also mentioned the potential for temporary pop-up businesses to
occupy these areas, which could benefit the arts community. Dinah Minot raised concerns about
communication gaps, which Greg Watson supported as an important issue to address. Ms Minot
and Mr. Chong will meet with Mr Watson and HEDD next week.


7. Board Share - Ms Hannan mentioned participation and involvement in Vigorous Tenderness,
a musical solstice celebration in nature, and also a previous fiscal sponsee of CP.
Mr. Foltz discussed the joys of riding the Waterfront’s Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad with his
nephew. Mr Brenerman provided insights into Yom Kippur, explaining its role in atonement and
its significance in the Jewish New Year. The meeting concluded with Herb Ivy expressing
appreciation for the board members and looking forward to future gatherings.

8. Vote to Adjourn:
First by Ms Hancock; second by Mr. Brenerman. Meeting adjourned 4:29pm

Minutes submitted by Ms Minot (with help from AI recording)




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