Hawthorne Arts Collaborative, the organization that owns and operates the Colonial Theatre in Belfast, has hired Cam Howard (they/them) as the organization’s new Program Director.

Cam Howard is a writer, film programmer, and community organizer with deep Maine roots and a strong commitment to accessible, adventurous, and community-centered arts programming, according to  Colonial Theatre & Hawthorne Arts Collaborative, in a news release. They joined Hawthorne Arts Collaborative most recently from the Points North Institute, where they served as Festival & Community Programs Manager, and brings additional experience from Maine Media Workshops + College and Space Gallery in Portland. Howard grew up in Washington County and now lives in Belfast.

“Cam’s background and their passion for cinema as a tool for connection and discovery make them a wonderful fit for Hawthorne Arts Collaborative and the Colonial’s mission,” said Meg Fournier, Executive Director. “We’re so excited for the creativity, curiosity, and care they’ll bring to our screens and our stage.”

As Program Director, Howard will oversee film and live event programming at the historic Colonial Theatre, continuing the theatre’s commitment to presenting engaging, inclusive, and inspiring experiences for audiences in Waldo County and beyond, according to the release.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the team to present an eclectic and entertaining array of programming,” said Howard. “When I was growing up in Washington County, my older sister would load up my mail-order Netflix queue with international films that she was seeing in college. These films opened the whole world up to me. I take a lot of pride in creating a world-opening resource for the people in Waldo County…I hope that everyone who comes into the Colonial leaves feeling that same sense of wonder that I felt about movies when I was a tween.”

Hawthorne Arts Collaborative is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Colonial Theatre, Maine’s oldest cinema and a cornerstone of Belfast’s arts and cultural life for over a century. Through film, live performances, and community programming, the organization works to foster creativity, connection, and discovery for audiences of all ages.

The Colonial Theatre is located at 163 High Street in downtown Belfast, Maine. For more information, visit colonialtheatre.com.