Kerrie Bellisario to Join Maine College of Art & Design
The veteran arts educator will join the Portland institution's senior leadership team this November.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People
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The Maine College of Art & Design announced on October 20, 2026, that Kerrie Bellisario will join its senior leadership team in November 2026. She is tasked with overseeing community development and lifelong learning initiatives at the school.
Why it matters
Bellisario brings over 25 years of experience in arts, culture, and educational leadership to the Portland institution. Her expertise is expected to help the college build and expand its external partnerships and educational programs.
Bellisario has curated more than 60 exhibitions and raised over $53 million in support of arts and educational organizations. The Maine College of Art & Design, which she joins, was originally established in 1882.
The players
Kerrie Bellisario
She is an arts and education leader with 25 years of experience who co-founded a master's degree program at Lesley University.
Maine College of Art & Design
Established in 1882, this institution is located in the Arts District of Portland, Maine.
The details
Bellisario will focus on fostering community development while managing new art and design learning opportunities for the public. She previously co-founded a master's degree program in arts, culture and educational leadership at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Timeline
1882: The year the Maine College of Art & Design was founded.
October 20, 2026: The college officially announced the hiring.
November 2026: Bellisario joins the senior leadership team.
Market Landscape
This move signals a strategic push by the institution to align its leadership with established academic models for community engagement. It positions the college to better leverage its Arts District location against peer institutions in the regional education market.
Residents and students can expect new community development initiatives and expanded lifelong learning programs as Bellisario settles into her role. These additions may provide more accessible pathways for local engagement with the college's arts programs.
The takeaway
The addition of a veteran leader with extensive fundraising experience suggests a focus on sustainable growth for the institution's community programming. Community members interested in the arts should watch for upcoming announcements regarding new learning opportunities in Portland.
Further reading
Learn more about local career developments in the Portland People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mainebiz.
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