Dear Community Members,
We are writing to share an important update regarding the Bangor Arts Exchange (BAE). Since its inception in 2017, BAE has been a beloved venue for live music and cultural events in downtown Bangor. Our partnership with Launchpad aimed to revitalize the historic home of the BSO, and thanks to your generous support, we raised $125,000 for capital improvements to the ballroom, transforming it into a vibrant space for our community.
Recently, the building housing BAE was sold to a new property developer who is committed to rehabbing the entire block to better meet the needs of today’s downtown space requirements. While this transition marks the end of an era for BAE, it also signifies new beginnings for the area.
After careful consideration and with a heavy heart, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and Launchpad have decided not to relocate BAE. This decision was not made lightly. The downtown cultural landscape has changed significantly since 2017, and our community has developed new, organic ways to bring cultural events and live music to downtown Bangor. We believe this evolution reflects the resilience and creativity of our community.
The venue will continue operations through October of 2024 before hosting its final event.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported BAE. Your passion and dedication made it a cherished part of Bangor’s cultural landscape. We also want to acknowledge the new owner of the building, whose generosity and support have made this transition as smooth as possible.
While we close this chapter, we remain committed to fostering arts and culture in Bangor. The spirit of BAE will live on through the many new and innovative events that continue to emerge in our community.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Best,
Berney Kubetz
President, Bangor Symphony Orchestra
Meg Shorette
Board Chair, Launchpad
