To provide a variety of opportunities to all people, regardless of age, ability, or economic position for equal access to quality arts education, programming, and events;
Anyone can participate in the arts if the opportunities are readily available. One of the challenges rural communities and schools face is limited resources that result in the need to prioritize expenditures. Support for the arts in public schools and community programs has been a lower priority over the last several years. Remote geography and lack of transportation also negatively affect access. Widespread lack of awareness of the many benefits of the arts also limits participation. In more urban areas, the arts are generally on full display and easily accessible. That is not the case in rural regions, and the arts are not front-of-mind.
Snow Pond is addressing the above issues by rapidly expanding community programming in music, the arts and in after school programs by building partnerships with schools and community organizations. These programs fill a major gap in exposure to the arts, as there are limited after-school programs that incorporate arts education in this region.
Snow Pond’s community programs foster the creative and confident mindset that supports all learning. Creativity is an obvious skill gained from art education, however students also learn observation, self-expression, focus, discipline, perseverance, collaboration and risk-taking. Each of Snow Pond’s programs have been designed to enhance students’ personal and cultural awareness, ensuring that each student will be able to utilize these attributes to achieve their full potential. In addition, Snow Pond instructors become trusted adults in a position to model healthy emotional self-management and life skills.
The primary population served by our programs are the residents of Kennebec County, including the surrounding communities of Augusta, Belgrade, Oakland, Rome, Sidney, Fairfield, Waterville, and more. More than 60% of this population is classified as low-to-moderate income. Reduced/free lunch rates range from almost 50% in RSU18 to 75% in the neighboring Augusta or Waterville school districts. Academic proficiency levels and college graduation rates are low for this group. Currently, only 30% of these children are meeting academic proficiency standards and less than 20% will earn any type of college degree (source: Educate Maine, 2018.) Standing firm in our mission that arts education is important; all of Snow Pond’s community programs are grant/donation funded and are offered to students at little or no cost.
Snow Pond will continue to expand the outreach programs, infrastructure, and the hub of artistic faculty to promote and support widespread access to the arts so that every community in the region can share resources while ensuring broader individual access to a variety of specialized learning opportunities for all age groups.
Snow Pond Community Arts Programs include:
Expressive Arts
The process of using imagery, storytelling, dance, music, drama, poetry, writing, movement, and visual arts is explored in an integrated way that fosters human growth, development, and optimal health. The creative process is emphasized, versus creating a product.
Arts as Academic Support
A variety of artistic disciplines are utilized to promote and support skill acquisition and conceptual understanding in the academic areas of math and language arts. Through the use of interactive games and artistic activities, students are encouraged to explore and deepen their enjoyment of academia as they increase competence and confidence while learning by doing!
Learn to Own
(a new program added in January/21) Interested students will be loaned used instruments, i.e. keyboards, guitars, electric drum kits, etc. The student must complete a course of learning with in-person or virtual attendance and accomplish their set learning benchmarks including demonstration of instrument care and tuning. Upon completion, and agreement to continue lessons, the student will be given the instrument.
Strings Program
In order to bolster the music program in the local school district (RSU#18), Snow Pond collaborated with the RSU18 Music Department to begin a much-desired strings program at one local elementary school for a group of third graders. The lessons are held at school before the regular schedule of classes begins. This program has been so successful that two classes will resume post-pandemic at the first school, and Belgrade Central would like to add an early strings program as well.
Music Club
Weekly age specific classes provided developmentally appropriate music education, appreciation, and performance. Targeted goals addressed exposure and appreciation of various musical genres, including folk, classical, jazz, pop, and world music; group instruction in the playing of a variety of instruments, including hand percussion and bucket band; music literacy regarding notation, symbols, alphabet and solfege, as well as elements of composition. Performances included both solo and ensemble work and progressed from informal class showings to program wide performances.
To be a unique arts and educational institution, tourism attraction, and community center that is a catalyst for community and regional economic development.
Leveraging our foundation as a summer music camp renowned for quality instruction, creative atmosphere, and life-changing experiences, Snow Pond expanded to year-round programming in 2014. With the expansion came opportunities to strengthen our role in the region as an economic driver. Our economic development work, which spans tourism, rural placemaking, and workforce development, is deeply informed by community engagement and our region’s unique assets.
As a center for the arts, becoming a tourism destination was a natural progression for Snow Pond. Our nearly $1 million renovation of historic Bowl in the Pines, one of the nation’s largest amphitheaters, is slated to double capacity and further our success in attracting world-renowned acts. Over 18,000 patrons a year attend a concert in the Bowl, hailing from as far north as Canada and as south as Florida; this translates into significant demand for local restaurants, accommodations, and retail establishments. Continued investment in Snow Pond’s performance infrastructure will yield greater economic impact as we cement our reputation as a destination venue.
Yet, Snow Pond strives to be a catalyst for people to not only come, but also to stay. Despite its beauty and affordability, our beloved Belgrade Lakes region has not been immune to Maine’s “brain drain” challenge of young professionals leaving for big cities. With year-round recreational and cultural amenities, including hiking trails, pond hockey, public arts-based high school, concerts, and farm-to-table dinners, Snow Pond is well-positioned to promote the Belgrade Lakes region as an ideal home for young professionals and families. To capitalize on our assets, Snow Pond successfully applied to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts – Citizen Institute on Rural Design (CIRD). CIRD employs the concept of “creative placemaking” to build vibrant rural regions by centering the arts, culture, and community engagement. In an economy where many professionals can work from anywhere, quality of life is key; Snow Pond believes that when the energy of the arts is a pillar of the community, the possibilities are limitless (learn more with NGA’s Rural Action Guide).
Such a thrilling vision must be inclusive in order to work; after all, we want our whole community to be uplifted through arts-based economic development. Through its commitment to community through fundraisers, benefit dinners, and free use of its public facilities, Snow Pond has become a trusted institution – this is our shared place. To empower community engagement that guides placemaking design and development, Snow Pond has partnered with the Orton Family Foundation – Community Heart & Soul process. The proven collaboration method convenes Snow Pond, VillageMaine, and Belgrade Lakes communities and guides us as we design a comprehensive, time- and goal-specific economic plan to establish regional priorities, inspire investor confidence to support development, and ultimately, to attract and retain young artists, innovators, tradespeople, professionals, and farmers to this magnificent area.
Fortunately, Snow Pond nurtures an outstanding talent pool who can offer insight on how the economic plan might retain and attract creative young professionals. Students of the Maine Arts Academy, located on Snow Pond’s campus, represent an important demographic for the Belgrade Lakes. Not only are these students forming a special bond with the region that will encourage them to live here after graduation, but they are also building the skills needed to fill local jobs. By providing education and internships in the arts and culinary sectors, Maine Arts Academy is developing a qualified workforce ready to invigorate our community’s creative placemaking.
Fishing
Snow Pond (Messalonskee Lake) is the second largest lake in the famed Belgrade Lakes Chain and one of the top-rated bass fishing lakes in Maine.
Two-time host to Major League Fishing Summit Cup championships, the lake provides anglers with an excellent opportunity to catch largemouth, smallmouth, and northern pike in addition to trout, salmon, and panfish. For guide services contact Maine Wilderness Guide Service, LLC or call Snow Pond at 844-476-6976 ext.207 for additional information.
Hiking
In addition to Snow Pond’s own community trails, hiking opportunities abound within 20-minutes of campus. Kennebec Highlands area in Rome, Mount Vernon, Vienna, and New Sharon, Maine. The Kennebec Highlands’ 6,800 acres contain the highest peaks in Kennebec County, including the summit of McGaffey Mountain, miles of pristine streams, several wetlands, and five undeveloped ponds.
Canoe/Kayak Excursions
Messalonskee Lake is a 9-mile long lake, that begins with the Belgrade Stream and flows out into the Messalonskee Stream.
Foraging
Explore guided walks led by Snow Pond’s own Maine Guide, Mike Guarino, foraging for mushrooms, fiddleheads, etc. depending on the season.
Welcome to Snow Pond Center for the Arts
Cabin Reservations!
Snow Pond Cente
r for the Arts is offering cabin rentals in the months of May, September and October.
Snow Pond offers one, two, and three-bedroom cabins located on over 40+ pristine acres along the shores of Snow Pond (Messalonskee Lake.) Renters will have access to walking/hiking trails, canoes, kayaks, and firepits. Guided fishing trips and historic boat tours on the lake are also available.
For inquiries and reservations contact us at 207-465-9648 ext. 207 or email .
Cabin Info:
Guests are responsible for bringing their own bed linens & towels, unless otherwise indicated on the reservation form. For larger parties, linens may be included.
Cabins include living room, full bathroom, refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker. Several of our lakeside cabins are equipped with full kitchens and may be available upon request.
Complimentary WiFi is available in all cabins.
Snow Pond cabins are not heated, however each cabin includes a portable heater.
We are dog-friendly if your dog is friendly! Proof of rabies vaccination is required upon check-in and dogs must be leashed when in public areas. There is a $50 pet fee per dog.
For inquiries and reservations contact Snow Pond's
Events Coordinator.
Phone: 207-465-9648 ext. 20
Business Sponsorship
Snow Pond Center for the Arts is privileged to have the support of community partners who make it possible for us to present the artistic and cultural programming that enriches the quality of life in central Maine.
Sponsors receive a limited number of complimentary tickets to a Snow Pond Summer Series Concert and may also elect to host a private reception at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, prior to or after a performance.
If you are interested in reviewing our sponsorship opportunities, please contact Christine Durgin at (844) 476-6976 ext. 804 or by email at . Sponsorships are available for a minimum of $100.
Please visit Snow Pond’s sponsors below.
Music Lessons