LEWISTON – A community arts conference, the first of its kind in recent history to address the needs of community arts, will be held Thursday, Oct. 18, in downtown Lewiston.

The “Crossroads for Community Arts Conference” was developed using the latest Internet technology, such as online surveys, to ensure that the conference provides exactly what community arts in Maine requires, which is a chance to discuss and learn about fundraising, marketing, sustainability and cultural tourism.

Funded by the Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, and co-sponsored by the Five Rivers Arts Alliance, the conference offers an opportunity for local leaders, artists, board members and volunteers in community arts to come together to learn, network and advocate for arts in communities across Maine.

The conference will feature speakers Patrice Walker Powell and Felicia Knight from the NEA; Massachusetts professors Craig Dreeszen and Maren Brown; and Anne Katz, the founder and leader of Arts Wisconsin, a statewide arts advocacy organization.

Attendees will be offered four tracks in which to learn: fundraising, marketing, sustainability and creative economy/cultural tourism; and will be encouraged to network and collaborate with peers from around the state.

Conference costs have been kept low to encourage broad participation. Preregistrations are $60 for one person, and a second representative from the same organization (staff, board or volunteer) can attend for half price. Those wishing to take advantage of this price must pre-register by Oct. 2. Attendees can take advantage of added networking and entertainment opportunities, including, receptions, dinners and a performance from Canadian fiddle sensation April Verch at the Franco-American Heritage Center.