The Performance Art Initiative supports exposure, development, exhibition opportunities and audience engagement for Maine-based artists working in performance. Founded in 2023 by Patricia Brace and Bethany Engstrom, in consultation with artist Deborah Wing-Sproul, PAI is an artist-led collaborative effort that facilitates a deeper, more diverse dialogue of performance art in Maine. PAI’s goal is to create a community for performance artists while serving as a resource, providing opportunities for expansion and sharing of the medium through rich dialogue around performance-based work. This includes the development of exhibitions, Performance Exchange, an online presence, panels, and workshops, where performance art is the primary medium. PAI collaborates with both emerging and established artists with a focus on interdisciplinary and varied approaches to community engagement and outreach.