Ann and Brad Willauer
Educating artists is especially important to us. Why? Although we also support art museums, we strongly believe that educating artists comes before supporting the institutes that enshrine their work—often after the artist has died. Simply put, without artists, there would be no need for museums.
We established the Winslow Homer Endowed Scholarship for Painting at MECA&D because endowed funds provide income in perpetuity, guaranteeing a source of financial aid without necessarily increasing tuition to keep pace with operating costs. It is gratifying to know that our gift insures that MECA&D will remain open to all capable candidates, not just those students who may be able to afford attending without support.
Portland is fortunate to have a nationally recognized college of art and design as well as numerous renowned cultural institutions. Portland would not be in a renaissance without art—companies and businesses would not congregate in our city were there not a creative community as well. We all recognize that civilizations do not exist without art and that artists make communities more interesting places to live and work.
Art and design are in every part of our lives—in technology, apparel, automobiles. MECA&D educates artists that contribute to the world around us. We are pleased that 40% of MECA&D students are Maine kids, and that the College also increasingly attracts students from all around the country.
With more than 50% of MECA&D graduates choosing to stay in Maine and enrollment growing every year, MECA&D is contributing to Maine’s future in important ways and at the same time upholding the traditions of an artist like Winslow Homer, who found lifetime creative inspiration in our beautiful state.
*Gifts to the Annual Fund are used to provide scholarships, expand our community programming, and support our future artists, designers, and thinkers. Can you help us continue our success?