The Maine Museum of Photographic Arts is set to relocate to a larger space on Commercial Street in Portland’s Old Port, a move that will significantly enhance its capacity to showcase photographic art. This transition comes as the museum finalizes the purchase of a ground-level suite at Hobson’s Landing, which will more than double its exhibition area. Director Denise Froelich confirmed that the museum needs to raise $130,000 within the next 90 days for necessary renovations.
Froelich expressed enthusiasm about the change, stating, “It’s a game changer for us. This is something we’ve needed for so many years.” The museum, which has been an integral part of the community for over 15 years, previously operated from the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus and most recently from a limited 600-square-foot storefront on Middle Street.
The new location at 387 Commercial St. will offer nearly 1,500 square feet of space, allowing for two distinct galleries. This expansion opens up possibilities for longer exhibitions, niche retrospectives, and specialized shows, including digital and video installations. Froelich noted that the additional space will enable the inclusion of more artists and works, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
The museum has faced challenges in its previous location, where space constraints often limited the number of attendees for events. Froelich recounted that for artist talks, she had only 55 chairs available. If attendance exceeded this number, she would facilitate swapping between seated and standing guests to accommodate everyone.
“A little more space or a little more inventory means more artists are included,” Froelich remarked, highlighting the positive impact of the new venue. The initial fundraising campaign aims to support the renovation efforts, but it marks the beginning of a more ambitious goal: to raise $4 million over the next year. This is a significant increase from the museum’s current operating budget of nearly $200,000.
The Middle Street location has been closed since October 2023, but the museum continues to engage with the public through its online platform, where it sells art and books. Froelich anticipates opening the new space in February 2024, with an inaugural show titled “Home and Place.” The museum has already received over 100 applications for this first exhibition.
As the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts prepares for its transition, Froelich remains optimistic about the collaborative opportunities that the new space will present. “The way that we’re going to be able to collaborate is going to be really, really cool,” she said. This move signifies not only a physical relocation but also a broader commitment to fostering artistic engagement within the community.
