Waterville Creates

Waterville Creates is a prominent cultural organization that plays a pivotal role in enriching the artistic and cultural landscape of Waterville, Maine. Established in 2014, Waterville Creates emerged from the collaborative efforts of several local entities, including the Colby College Museum of Art, Common Street Arts, the Maine Film Center, Waterville Main Street, the Waterville Opera House, and the Waterville Public Library. The organization's inception was driven by the collective ambition to fortify the arts within the community through strategic partnership and cooperation. In its pursuit of a more efficient and impactful presence, Waterville Creates underwent a series of mergers, beginning with Common Street Arts in 2016, followed by the Waterville Opera House and Maine Film Center in November 2018. These integrations were aimed at streamlining marketing, development, accounting, and administrative services, while simultaneously enhancing and broadening the scope of arts and cultural programming available to the public. Waterville Creates now offers a rich tapestry of year-round arts programming. This includes community theatre productions, live music concerts, dance performances, and live broadcast presentations at the Waterville Opera House, as well as daily film screenings at Railroad Square Cinema. The organization also hosts the annual Maine International Film Festival, a 10-day cinematic celebration, and provides regular art exhibitions and arts education opportunities at Ticonic Gallery Studios, formerly known as Common Street Arts. Additionally, Waterville Creates organizes numerous free, collaborative community arts events and programs, fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment. The Waterville Opera House, a key component of Waterville Creates, has been a beacon of performing arts since its establishment in 1902. Initially serving as a theatre and community meeting place, it transitioned to showing silent films in 1913 and operated primarily as a movie theatre after World War II. In the 1960s, it returned to its roots of live performances and underwent a significant renovation in 2012, thanks to the efforts of the Waterville Opera House Improvement Association. Today, the Opera House is celebrated for its community theatre program, concerts, and educational offerings for children, in addition to co-hosting the Maine International Film Festival. The Maine Film Center, another integral part of Waterville Creates, has been a cornerstone of film education and entertainment since the establishment of Railroad Square Cinema in 1978. After a fire in 1994, the community rallied to rebuild the cinema, which now operates three digital projection theaters. The Maine Film Center also organizes the Maine International Film Festival and was recognized by the Sundance Institute in 2005 as part of their Art House Project. Ticonic Gallery Studios, initially opened as Common Street Arts in 2012, has been instrumental in promoting the creative and artistic vitality of Waterville. The gallery and studio space provide a platform for artists to exhibit their work and for the community to engage in arts education. In 2016, it became an official program of Waterville Creates and was later rebranded as Ticonic Gallery Studios to better reflect its mission and connection to the local heritage. Waterville Creates is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors and operated by a diverse and talented staff, all committed to advancing the arts and fostering community engagement. The organization acknowledges its presence on the historic land and waterways of the Wabanaki, the People of the Dawnland, and is dedicated to creating space for conversations, engagement, and education in honor of the indigenous community. Through its unique model of collaboration and commitment to accessible arts experiences, Waterville Creates continues to strengthen the creative economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of Waterville.