Donna McNeil, newly installed as chairman of the Maine Arts Commission, recently addressed a gathering of artists and arts administrators in Brunswick.

I thought it would be worthwhile to share her thoughts, if for no other reason than to put her on record about how she sees her role in the arts.

Here are some of her remarks:

"As director of the Maine Arts Commission, I intend to engage with the field one to one as much as I can – to really listen to your needs, to come and see your efforts in the field. Those are the things that will inform me and will help make me your true champion.

"I see my role as your representative with government, business and the public. I am your advocate, your tax dollars at work, and I take that all very seriously. I am devoted to the arts. I believe they are the mark of our humanity, that they are the vehicle for expressing what words alone cannot deliver."