In 2010 a group of parents, educators and community members gathered at a Gorham School Committee meeting to voice concern over the committees decision to cut an elementary art teacher's position. We educated the committee on the value of the arts as an integral part of all subject areas and that without the arts there is a disconnect in right and left brain thinking abilities. With persistence we were able to save that art teachers position. That victory propelled us to look at Gorham and the neighboring communities and how we could develop an Arts organization that would strengthen our ability to serve the region in the most effective, efficient and resourceful way for all members.

In 2011, the Gorham Arts Alliance (GAA) was founded as a 501(c) 3 organization with the vision of creating programs that connect and engage communities and its members through a variety of arts programming. We began with after school and summer classes in borrowed spaces within the public schools and recreation departments.

In 2014 we moved into a historic building in the Gorham village, creating the areas first Community Arts Center. This move helped to solidify our organization and we were given the Local Arts Agency designation by Gorham’s Town Council. We developed an arts based preschool, the first one in southern Maine; increased our after school and summer programs for children grades K-10; created Gorham's First Children's Theater; developed outreach programs in local senior centers and libraries; as well as a special needs day service art program.

For many, the pandemic changed us but also made us stronger. We realized the healing powers of the arts through this difficult time and started thinking outside the box as to how to integrate more of the natural world into our arts programming, by taking the Arts outside. We held art, music and theater classes outside, we went on nature walks integrating art into the environment and drawing from the inspiration of the trees, streams, plants and critters. With the movement of traditional office spaces now shifting to home offices, we were able to secure space additional space helping to add to our philosophies of engagement.

In September 2021 we created The Arts and Nature Center at Tannery Brook. This new location off Wentworth Drive in Gorham allowed us to grow our school age programming, adult programs and community outreach by integrating the Arts with the natural world along the beautiful Tannery Brook Conversation area.

We pride ourselves in being the center for quality arts engagement, bridging the city of Portland with the rural areas North and West of Gorham. With guidance from the 100% volunteer GAA board and in collaboration with our community members, we have grown in a more strategic and efficient manner. This has allowed us to better serve our community members, reach further into our neighboring communities to meet their needs for quality arts engagement. With strategic growth, we will continue to achieve our mission-to enrich and inspire our communities through the Arts.