The Idea

I have an idea for a world-festival of The Ocean . . . to be held in Portland, Maine. Here is a little of what I envision . . . ideas and participation are welcome.

The Host Harbor - Portland. Maine

Maine and the City of Portland are ideally suited to host a major international festival devoted to the world oceans. Maine has the maritime heritage and Portland is a major sea port with the necessary infrastructure, airport, spaces, accommodations and organizations to support a world-class festival that deals with the sea. Portland can accommodate a fleet of world-class private, commercial and military watercraft, along with venues for exhibitions, conferences, a trade show, yachts racing and public performances and related events--all with easy access from the world.

A Unique Opportunity

While there are numerous local festivals dealing with aspects of the sea, there is  currently no international festival that encompasses our vision for The OCEANS Festival . . .  which brings together scientists and researchers, explorers and adventurers, photographers and filmmakers, artists, musicians and performers, the media, advocates and policy-makers, storytellers and especially sailors.

Once established, the Oceans Festival will become an annual, or bi-annual event, each year showcasing selected aspects of the world oceans.

Workshops and Master Classes

Throughout the month, six-day workshops are held, led by a noted authority, providing participants with an in-depth learning experience. Workshops and master classes are available in skills building, the creative process, and personal and professional careers, technology and philosophy.

Awards and Honors

OCEANS Festival honors the accomplishments and contributions individuals and organizations have made on, over, and under the seas. The Golden Dolphin recognizes achievements in the arts, science, literature, education and the political spheres. 

The Schedule

For an entire month, Portland, Maine is a city devoted to the examination and celebration of the world’s oceans. Throughout the month, exhibitions and workshops, interactive displays, competitions are held throughout the city, its harbor and bay. The opening week kicks off the festival with a concentration of activities, presentations, concerts, seminars and conferences. There a yacht races, tours of private mega-yachts, tug boats and military ships. Receptions are held for the opening of each of the many exhibitions and screenings. A gala banquet honors invited guests and speakers, present awards to various individuals and organizations acknowledging their contributions to the to world’s oceans.

Exhibitions

The work of visual artists, photographers, sculptures, boat builders are showcased in exhibitions held throughout Portland, leading visitors on a walking tour of the city. Exhibitions are held in museums and galleries, as well as in non-traditional spaces: abandoned buildings, churches, warehouses, old factories, the exterior walls of buildings.

The Festival App

An app on smart phones guides visitors from exhibition to exhibition through Portland, showing spaces, places to dine, drink, and rest. A  narrated tour of each exhibition is available, on-line, via  WiFi and hand-held devises at each location. This same app provides live video streams of conferences, lectures and presentation so no one misses a thing.

Evening Presentations

Each evening there are theatrical and musical performances, visual presentations and film screenings each dealing with an aspect of oceans. A Nautical Film Festival presents documentaries and feature films with the sea as its subject. Commissioned documentaries and multi-media presentations profiled the work and lives of the honored guests and institutions . . . all presented in a large outdoor theater.

The Screening Room

The Screening Room, provides pass holders access to a vast library of contemporary and historic media, video, television and  documentaries, that can be checked out for viewing in cubicles with flat screen television monitors.                            

The Summit

Along with celebrating the beauty and power of the world’s oceans, OCEANS is also a time to bring together the authorities, advocates, policy-makers and explorers to discuss and debates the future of the world’s oceans.

The opening week features a series of “theme days” each devoted to specific aspect of the world’s oceans: Science, Energy,  Food, Ecology, Exploration. Mornings feature lectures and presentations by noted authorities, explorers, scientists and policy makers. White papers are presented over lunch and afternoons are for round tables and workshops where issues raised in the morning are discussed, problems addressed and solutions suggested.

Partnerships

Working with Maine and international maritime organizations, OCEANS brings together the best and most important working being done today in research, exploration, management, design,  policy-making and media. OCEANS works with museums, institutes, universities, schools, governmental  agencies, trade associations, and the maritime industry to showcase accomplishments, raise issues, debate solutions, and discuss the future of the world’ oceans as well as show what’s being done.

OCEANSMAINE.co

All events are recorded on video, edited and available on-line. Three-minute samples of each event are included, free, on OCEANSMaine.co. A bi-monthly eNewsletter alerts members of new content, interviews and lectures. Access to full length conversations, debates and presentations are available for a subscription price (See FORA-TV for an example).  OCEANS’ website becomes a valuable Internet television channel, offering valuable intellectual content, attracting advertisers an sponsor, and becomes a valuable revenue stream in its own right.