Governor Signs Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Initiatives with New Brunswick Premier 

Memorandum of Understanding Between

The State of Maine

And

The Province of New Brunswick

To Enhance the Mutual Benefits

Of Maine/New Brunswick Cultural Relations

Through the Establishment of a Maine-New Brunswick Cultural Initiative

WHEREAS,

The State of Maine (“Maine”) shares deep and long standing artistic, historical, and cultural ties with theProvince of New Brunswick (“New Brunswick”);

Maine and New Brunswick each have, existing within their respective borders, highly talented artists and craftspeople;

Maine and New Brunswick each have a population that includes well-trained performers and musicians;

Maine and New Brunswick each have throughout their respective state and province a wide range of art and cultural galleries, museums, historic places, and performance spaces;

Maine and New Brunswick have each adopted policies to promote arts and culture;

Maine and New Brunswick each recognize the value in attracting and retaining a skilled and creative workforce;

Maine and New Brunswick each recognize the value that vital, creative individuals, institutions, businesses, and communities have on the economic well being of their respective state and province;

Maine and New Brunswick place value on opportunities to learn from each others’ artists, performers, cultural institutions, creative businesses and creative communities;

Maine and New Brunswick will collaborate in the organization of the next Congrès mondial acadien (World Acadian Congress) which will take place in the northern region of Maine, the northwestern region of New Brunswick and Témiscouata, Québec in August 2014;

Maine and New Brunswick recognize that strengthened cultural relations between their respective state and province can expand cultural markets, improve efficiencies, create opportunities; and result in the mutual enrichment of cultural resources.

NOW THEREFORE,

I, John Elias Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine and I, Shawn Graham, Premier of the Province ofNew Brunswick, do hereby enter into this “Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Maineand the Province of New Brunswick to enhance the Mutual Benefits of Maine/New Brunswick Cultural Relations” and do hereby agree as hereinafter set forth.

Maine and New Brunswick agree to establish a Maine-New Brunswick Cultural Initiative by agreeing to jointly undertake the following tasks:

1.       Examine any manner of simplifying and streamlining border-crossing processes for artists, performers, cultural institutions, and creative businesses;

2.       Explore the potential of enhancing the exchange of cultural information;

3.       Explore the potential for collaborative cross-border cultural projects;

4.       Identify possible new and/or expanded cross-border business and/or cultural tourism opportunities;

5.       Explore the differences and similarities between approaches to the creative economy and creative communities in Maine and New Brunswick to assess how successes may be mirrored.

Maine and New Brunswick agree to dedicate human resources from their respective state and provincial agencies for the exploration of the tasks described herein. Maine and New Brunswick agree to appoint one person from each government to serve as each state’s or province’s point of contact (the “Joint Representatives”).

The tasks are to be completed in two phases. Phase 1 work will overview the tasks herein, will identify common principles to guide efforts in support of tangible initiatives, and will assess priorities and possibilities. Such review will be completed in consultation with cultural industry stakeholders from bothMaine and New Brunswick. The Joint Representatives shall deliver to their respective governments a report on the Phase 1 activities no later than December 1, 2010.

Upon completion of Phase 1, Maine and New Brunswick agree to proceed to Phase 2. This phase will detail the status of all priorities and possibilities identified during Phase 1; and provide a recommended timeline for future work. The Joint Representatives shall present a final Phase 2 report to their respective governments no later than April 30, 2011.

Upon completion of the items identified above, Maine and New Brunswick agree to consider entering into a further agreement to implement mutually beneficial actions.