Partnerships
One of PIE’s key values is to forge partnerships with other organizations to achieve shared objectives that benefit the Vinalhaven community. We believe that sharing the work of supporting learning opportunities for our children better serves our community, and we are proud of our ability to find creative ways to do this.
PIE’s oldest and most important partnership is with the Vinalhaven School (VHS). In fact, PIE was formed in 1999 to raise money for Smith Hokanson Memorial Hall and the George K. Joseph Library in the new school building – neither of which would have been possible without this community support. We have also partnered with VHS on managing the theater and funding a drama position, and have shared several Island Institute Fellows. In 2016, PIE and VHS forged a partnership to offer SCAMPS: summer school enrichment camps in the arts and robotics for ages 5-13 that take place at school. You can find out more about SCAMPS on our programs page by clicking here.
PIE and the Vinalhaven Land Trust co-sponsored Perspectives After School, continuing this wonderful and popular program to Vinalhaven students in grades K-5 two days a week during the school year until Covid-19. Since 2015, the Vinalhaven School has provided a home for Perspectives. To learn more, click here to go to our Perspectives page or click here to check out the photo blog spot. We also partner to provide many environmental programs to the students of Vinalhaven through our School Enrichment program.
In partnership with the Experiment in International Living, PIE awards an annual $5000 scholarship to one high school student to attend an Experiment summer travel and learning program. The Experiment is the oldest and one of the most respected organizations of its kind. What an amazing opportunity!
With Fox Islands Concerts, PIE’s Vinalhaven School Enrichment Program has sponsored music residencies and concerts for students at Vinalhaven School with musicians like Art Baron, and the Bridge Ensemble. We are grateful for their support of music for Vinalhaven students and look forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future.
Thanks to our partnership with the Seal Bay Festival, a contemporary chamber music workshop that takes place on Vinalhaven every summer, PIE hosts a benefit concert in July by the Cassatt Quartet, the festival’s widely acclaimed resident chamber ensemble.
Roberts Harbor Farm is a local organic farm serving the community of Vinalhaven, Maine. The property was re-established as a farm in 2019, and seeks to enhance island’s special quality of life through sustainable flower and vegetable production. Owners Dana and Noel Webster are enthusiastic supporters of PIE and have hosted a number of after school and summer visits to the farm. In August 2022, they offered their farm store and farm produce as a place for our summer Pairings fundraising event. As one guest said: “Great food, great music, great vibes and great people – all for a great cause. Yay for PIE and for Roberts Harbor Farm on VH”.
We are thrilled to partner with Roberts Harbor Farm!
North Atlantic Ballet (NAB) is a vibrant New England-based ballet company that invigorates audiences with a new experience of the ballet world. Their mission is to bring ballet into the 21st century, keeping it relevant and enjoyable for people from all walks of life as ART for ALL. NAB has an outreach program for youth as part of their DanceArts program. In the summer of 2022, they partnered with PIE on a Dance SCAMP for young people with little or no training in dance who “love to move and groove”. The SCAMP was a great success, and will continue as an annual part of PIE’s summer SCAMPS program. We are grateful to NAB for their passion and commitment to bring dance to Vinalhaven youth.
We look forward to finding more ways to partner with other organizations in the future!