Get Involved

January 2022 Update:  

SCAI has made lots of positive waves since 2014!  And even while activities have been changing shape since March 2020, we are carrying on, ever resilient and creative. SCAI still needs your ongoing support for our current and planned programs.

Just a couple of highlights from years past:

In 2014-15 we re-started the theater program at Narraguagus Jr./Sr. High School, with the enthusiastic backing of the school, school district, and fellow community organizations and businesses.  In 2018-19 we not only created an original show with music with Drama Club members, but took it out to share at venues from Milbridge to Machias.

In 2021-22, that show, The Lobsterman and His Wife: A DownEast Fairy Tale, is being transformed into a virtual production, soon to be viewable on YouTube! 

The ECMI Youth Chorale, directed by Danielle Woerner from 2018 to early 2020, performed three sparkling and demanding programs with the adult Bagaduce Chorale and GEM Orchestra, reaching hundreds of appreciative attendees. 

And much more!  Contact us if you'd like to receive our occasional newsletters. 

Our success since we began our work here in 2014 has come through a combination of substantial volunteered professional time by the founders, and contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations that believe in our mission and results. We have no paid staff or officers, and minimal operating costs. 

To be truly sustainable for the future, SCAI needs your help today. To maintain and expand our programs, we look to the continued generosity of our local-to-global community.  Whether you live around the corner or “Away," please think of SCAI as a worthy way to express your love of the arts and of community. 

There are many possibilities listed here; please take a look:

How Can You Get Involved?  Lots of ways...

• Join our Mailing List to learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. 

• Make a gift.  See how in the box to the right. While we can no longer offer a tax deduction, since our long-time fiscal sponsor DERC&D closed its doors at the end of 2020, we hope the rewards of supporting a dedicated family-run organization, that continues to have a big impact in our region, will count. Whether you can share a little or a lot, together we'll keep SCAI's arty salmon mascot "Fish Scales" (see photo below) in the swim !  

• Pass the word! 
  • ​Tell your friends & neighbors about our local programs, Creativity Retreats for artists, writers & musicians "from away,"  and Vacation Rentals when our apartment space isn't booked for SCAI activities.  Retreats/rentals help cover overhead, so your gifts can go directly into programs/scholarships.
  • Like & share SunriseCountyArts on FaceBook. 
  • Follow and DM our Instagram account:  @sunrisecountyarts
  • Tweet & follow us @sunrisectyarts
  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel, "Danielle Woerner and Sing into Joy," new in January 2022, as we steadily add videos in several arts categories!

• Introduce us to people you know who might like to become SCAI "Angels."

• Sponsor a voice student! Do you know someone who loves to sing, wishes they could study, but doesn’t think they can afford lessons?  You can direct your contribution(s) toward lessons for a specific person—or be an anonymous sponsor for a known or anonymous student.  

• Give a gift certificate for a series of lessons or a SongBytes mini-series, for birthday, holiday, or "just because."

• Tell people Danielle’s available for lessons (in person or online), workshops, singing engagements:
  • Private or family/group lessons online from our beautiful Milbridge studio
  • Danielle's singing makes special occasions even more memorable—receptions & private parties, weddings & baptisms, funerals & memorials, church services.  Everything from classical & opera to jazz, musical theater, pops. All fees/contributions are paid directly to SCAI to support our programs & scholarships.
  • Would your choir or group like a fun, instructive workshop? Danielle has led groups in basic vocal technique & ensemble singing—for singers & also church choir directors—at the American Guild of Organists, Omega Institute, colleges & churches.  For now, we'll be continuing to do these as Zoom sessions.

• Buy a CD or two, for yourself or as gifts!  Personalized signing is easily arranged, if you like.

• Do you buy sheet music online? Try Sheet Music Plus for your needs.  We'll earn modest commissions on scores & books you buy there, if you use our affiliate link.  

• Volunteer!  Everyone's help is valuable. Can you contribute your talents or needed items?

• Share your creative ideas!   We’d love to hear your thoughts, meet any friends & supporters of the arts you'd like us to know, & widen the circle. 
•  Tell us how you'd like to get involved. And thank you.

We have an entirely volunteer administration and staff.  The funds we raise go directly into SCAI's programs, especially those for young people. These include private voice lessons, theater productions, writing workshops, community singing opportunities, and residencies by guest artists and mentors from our large circle of distinguished musicians, actor/directors, writers and visual artists.

Many of our neighbors cannot afford the full cost of these programs — about 85% of local children qualify for assisted or free school lunches — so scholarships are essential to involve the people who need and want our services most.

Don't wait for "giving season" in November-December!  The sooner contributions come in during any year, the sooner we can expand our offerings and our ability to be generous with scholarships.

Thank you in advance for your support of SCAI.

And a special tip of our mascot "Fish Scales"' natty bowler hat

to our business and non-profit supporters, who have included:

• Camden National Bank, Milbridge, ME
• The Columbia Players, Columbia, ME
• DK Associates, Educational Consultants, Cherryfield, ME
• Milbridge Congregational Church, Milbridge, ME (in-kind)
• The Villchur Foundation, Woodstock, NY
• Women's Health Resource Library, Milbridge, ME (in-kind)