At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), we set the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play.
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The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Afterschool Experiences are designed with the whole child in mind. From exploring the interconnection between Maine's aquatic species to creating a show as a theatre ensemble, these experiences foster collaboration, empathy, critical thinking, and self-awareness skills.
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In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
Head to the kitchen to mix up some tasty experiments! Grow yeast to make pizza dough, experiment to find the perfect pancake recipe, and make color-changing cookies. As we cook, we will explore the world of molecules and how chemical reactions transform ingredients into some of our favorite foods.
Kitchen Chemistry runs five weeks: 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, and 2/25 (no class on February 18)
Explore, create, and collaborate during this drop-in class for children 2-5 and their caregivers. Each week, experiment with the mediums and styles of both well-known and emerging artists. This week, we will focus on Korean picture book creator Suzy Lee. Inspired by Suzy’s work in Wave and other wordless picture books, we will create art using charcoal and blue paint. Please plan for a messy but fun morning; aprons will be provided. Thank you to Hancock Lumber for their support of this program and CMTM's MakerSpace.
It's a BIIIIIIIIIIG universe out there—from galaxies to planets to stars! Put on your space suit or your alien costume and let's explore the Universe together. Join the Troupe and work together to discover one shared story through interactive games, imaginative prompts, and space-themed acting challenges to bring these characters to life. Each class will shape the adventure, and tell us what happens next. We will share the entire story with friends and families on the final day of class.
This class runs six weeks: 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, and 3/5 (no class on February 19)
Unveil a magical world as we use science and our imaginations to make art. Create maps and messages one can only read with a secret potion, harness the magic of the sun to create cyanotypes, get imaginative to decorate a wizarding wand, and more! Makers will get to use the tools and materials of CMTM’s MakerSpace plus additional special supplies.
Magic Art Makers runs five weeks: 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12 and 2/26 (no class on February 19)
Let’s Stay Connected!
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In the News
At an event at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine on Tuesday morning, kids talked about what they wish for in 2025.
Mainers party just a little differently than the rest of the world on New Year’s Eve.
Instead of dropping a ball from a big building in a big city, we drop a wild blueberry from a church bell tower in Kennebunk. Instead of making everyone stay up to the stroke of midnight, we hold some New Year’s celebrations in the afternoon or early evening, so kids and early risers can get to bed on time.
On return trips from her old college stomping grounds of Boston, Nancy Martin, business programs manager for the City of Portland, Maine, knows she is home when the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) comes into view. It is arguably the most prominent venue in a development known as Thompson’s Point, which stands out right off Interstate 295. The peninsula setting symbolizes the natural amenities Maine possesses, while the ground below is a prime example of Portland’s desire to maintain its beauty inside and out.
This week, two guests walk us through all these “Beautiful Blackbird” activities – Jordia Benjamin, Executive Director of the Indigo Arts Alliance and René Goddess, a Portland-based theater artist who is Artistic Director of The Theater Ensemble of Color as well as the director of the stage play edition of “Beautiful Blackbird.”
Assembled on a teal cardboard wall is a wide range of children’s artwork: doodles of multiple orange cats, crayon-drawn self-portraits, Acadia National Park depicted in markers, a drawing of a cup of boba tea. While the works vary in style and content, they come together in the mural to create a portrait of the children of the Portland area.
Portland, Maine, is often associated with the calm coastal and seaside lifestyles. With a lively working waterfront, picturesque lighthouses, and sea glass beaches, it’s never been a better time to plan a trip to Maine.
Updates + Stories
Discover the incredible journey of Gary the American Eel and explore stories of science, culture, and conservation at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine.
We’re Hiring! The Part-Time Education Program Assistant leads and supports interdisciplinary and experiential programming for Afterschool Experiences. Reporting to the Education Program Manager, this position is a critical part of the Education and Exhibits Team. Please note this is a temporary position set to end on May 31, 2025.
CMTM is thrilled to bring A.A. Milne’s classic tales to life in the currently running production of “Winnie-the-Pooh” in CMTM’s Maddy’s Theatre. To give the community a closer look at the creative mind behind this adaptation, we spoke with playwright Sean Patrick Nill to learn more about his artistic journey, his approach to adapting such a beloved story, and what he hopes audiences will take away from this heartwarming adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.
The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is thrilled to welcome Lisa DiFranza, our current Artist in Residence, for a unique and collaborative project that brings the concept of community to life. Titled “Faces of Belonging,” this interactive, evolving mural invites visitors of all ages to reflect on and contribute to a collective portrait of belonging in Maine.
Museums for All is a national initiative that makes cultural experiences accessible to everyone. It offers discounted admission to individuals receiving government assistance, such as SNAP, EBT, or state healthcare. More than 850 museums across the U.S. participate, including ten here in Maine. This program helps ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of families enjoying valuable experiences at museums, fostering a lifelong love of learning and exploration.