Founding director of Engine is moving on

Tammy Ackerman (L.) pictured with friend and artist Laura Dunn (R.) at the opening of Engine’s 2020 show Nano, which was curated by Dunn.

Engine publicly announced the departure of its co-founder and Executive Director, Tammy Ackerman, slated for August 2020, and pending a new hire.

Ackerman co-founded the organization in 2010 with her now fiancé Joshua Bodwell and friend Stephen Abbott. Engine was conceived as a way to help Biddeford climb out of its decades long recession and the pending closure of the Westpoint Stevens Mill. The arts were seen as a viable way to create energy, draw visitors, attract businesses and residents to the post-industrial mill town with great architecture and a great location along the coast.

Over 150 exhibitions have been launched, as well as numerous adult workshops, youth summer camps and programs, and community events like ArtWalk, Fringe Fest, the York County Maker Faire, and PechaKucha Nights with the goal of bringing the community together.

A posting for the position of Executive Director will be found here shortly.

READ THE PRESS HERALD ARTICLE HERE.

What people are saying about Engine...

Partnering with UNE, Engine has offered professional level gallery and classroom experiences for undergraduate and local students enrolled in arts classes as well as a venue to see art by both regionally and nationally recognized artists.
Stephen Burt
University of New England
Engine is and has been a focal point of downtown Biddeford for many years for so many artists and creative spirits. It is a go-to for me: a retreat, a destination, a source for connection and ideas and community.
Laura Dunn
Artist
Engine is a wonderful place to work surrounded by wonderful people who have infused so much love and light into the downtown of Biddeford. I cannot imagine a bright future in the town without this wonderful organization.
Savanna Pettengill
Artist & Arts Teacher
Engine fuels the creativity of our city, making it the hub for youth and adults alike to feed their spirits, expand their skills, and create a better future for all of us.
Stephanie Edwards
Community Action Committee