The Tides Institute & Museum of Art was recently awarded the Tourism Award for Innovation & Creativity. Pictured L to R: Tides Institute Director Hugh French; Maine Tourism Commission Chair Greg Sweetser; and Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette.

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Tides Institute & Museum of Art in Eastport was recently presented with the Maine Tourism Award for Commitment to Innovation & Creativity at the 2012 Maine Governor's Conference on Tourism at Sunday River Resort.

The awards are presented by the Maine Office of Tourism to those who lead by example. The businesses and individuals honored are nominated by their peers in the tourism industry. Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette and Maine Tourism Commission Chair Greg Sweetser presented the award to Tides Institute Director Hugh French.

Since its founding in 2002 the Tides Institute has aimed to be a creative and cultural force in Eastport and the surrounding Passamaquoddy Bay region. The small organization has collaborated with individuals, groups and communities to offer cultural programs and events on a large scale.

The CulturePass online directory shares the cultural offerings of Maine and Canadian communities of Passamaquoddy Bay. Maine's Historic Bold Coast is a website with information about museums and historic homes from Ellsworth to Pleasant Point, and the annual Two Countries, One Bay Studio Art Tour allows the public to see the works of nearly 50 artists from Machias to New Brunswick.

The Tides Institute hosts the city's annual New Year's Eve Great Sardine & Maple Leaf Drop. Rotating museum exhibitions, artist talks and workshops are free to the public. The new Tides Institute StudioWorks will provide production space for printmaking and digital operations, and housing for visiting artists in residence.

"The Tides Institute & Museum of Art is a perfect example of how creative collaboration within the community and beyond can create a wealth of possibilities for the people who live and visit there," said Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette.

More than 350 tourism and hospitality professionals attended the Governor's Conference on Tourism which also featured educational workshops and a trade show.

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