AUGUSTA — The William A. Farnsworth Library and Art Museum is among several organizations in Maine to receive Enterprise Grants from the Maine Office of Tourism.

Of the more than $46,000 awarded by the Office of Tourism in the Fall 2018 cycle of the grants, the Farnsworth Museum received $9,250. That money will “support the efforts to brand Rockland as a major art destination for travelers to Maine, with unique ‘Rockland - Art Capital of Maine’ - branded activities and sites,” according to a news release.

MOT's Tourism Enterprise Grants are designed to fund smaller or focused tourism-marketing projects of permanent, non-profit organizations whose primary purpose is to promote and expand tourism in Maine.
 
"The Office of Tourism is focused on elevating Maine's brand and marketing the state as a destination, but we are also charged with supporting the growth of the industry in our state,” said Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, in the release. “By boosting the efforts of our industry partners on the ground through these grants, we are strengthening the assets of Maine's tourism industry overall."
 
The other Fall 2018 grant-winning organizations, representing a range of tourism marketing efforts include:
 
Visit Freeport received $8,250 to promote the Maine Pumpkin Trail, joining forces with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the trail's founding members, Maine Maritime Museum and Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta. The partners plan to leverage each other's assets to increase new visitors, visitor spending and encourage longer stays.   
 
The Bates Dance Festival received $10,000 in funding to support efforts to build cultural tourism in Lewiston/Auburn. 
 
Wesserunsett Arts Council received $3,877.50 to support the Somerset County Rural Cultural Plan. The 2019 Cheese, Brews, and Bread event will expand from an afternoon of sampling cheese at to a full day of local food experiences, demonstrations, and workshops that will culminate in a festival in downtown Skowhegan. 
 
Abbe Museum received $10,000 to expand the reach of the Abbe Museum Indian Market - both before and after the May event - contributing to the wider tourism goals of the region. Projects include a podcast and online press room. 
 
The Northern Forest Center received $2,450. In partnership with the Moosehead Event Marketing Committee, the center will coordinate and support the cooperative marketing of 10 events that attract visitors and boost visitor spending to the Moosehead Lake region.
 
Main Street Bucksport received $2,500 in funding to promote the fourth annual International Maritime Film Festival (IMFF) scheduled for September 27-29, 2019. The goal of this project is to grow the festival audience and financial stability. 
 
"The award recipients were selected based on the potential of the project to increase tourism in Maine beyond the immediate region, project sustainability, and the organizations' ability to execute successfully," said MOT grant manager Hannah Collins, in the release.
 
The Spring 2019 Tourism Enterprise Grant cycle will open in April. Online application forms will be posted at MOTpartners.com at that time, with grant requests due by mid-May.

For more information regarding MOT's marketing grants program contact Hannah.Collins@Maine.gov.