![[the square] Portland's creative hub](http://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68f9dad1d76b7d3c7ff3b85f/be2b5ac8-8bb3-4037-ab1f-6ac35da5020c/The+Square+logo+transparent.png?format=1500w)
PORTLAND’S CREATIVE HUB
UP NEXT AT [THE SQUARE]…
STUDIO RECORDING 101 WORKSHOPS
Now for teens and adults! This 8-week workshop starts Feb. 23, covering all the fundamentals of recording & production. Teens will record a live band from MAMM; adults will be joined by local band the Rigometrics and Grammy-winning songwriter & producer Dave Gutter! (Scholarships available through Equal Measure Arts)
music. community. Education. Arts.
it’s all here at
[the square]
Welcome to Portland's new creative hub at Monument Square, in the heart of the Arts District.
Our doors are now open for free tours of the space, drop-in bookings for rehearsals, recordings, workspace, photo/video shoots, and more; plus memberships offering discounts and community-oriented perks.
[the square] is also the new downtown home of Monaco Studios & Equal Measure Arts, providing accessible recording time for emerging musicians as well as educational programs for aspiring audio engineers & producers. 10% of all studio bookings & memberships supports financial aid for under-resourced artists.
Read more about [the square] in Mainebiz and check out all our latest offerings here!
WINTER ‘26 AT [THE SQUARE]
NEW PROGRAMS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Monday–Friday, 9am–noon
Cozy chairs & desks, wifi, printer, & kitchenette; plus instruments and other creative tools
On-site staff available for support
$20/hr. or $45 for 3 hrs.
50% off monthly packages with membership option (sign up!)
Flexible afternoons, 12–4:30pm
Book space for rehearsals, meetings, photo/video shoots, and more…
Production rooms starting at $40/hr. including use of computer, interface, console, mics, etc.
Recording sessions with an engineer starting at $65/hr.
See all our latest offerings here
Discounts & exclusive access!
Community Builder ($50/mo.): For supporters, dabblers, and solo creators, get 2 hrs/mo. in Studio C and more… ($80+ value)
Creative Professional ($100/mo.): For working artists and freelancers—choose 10 hrs. of Creative Co-working, or 4 hrs. in Studio B/C, plus your own website and more! ($200+ value)
All-Access Pass ($300+/month): Block out time on a recurring basis. Submit an application to claim 8 hrs/mo. & more. ($480+ value)
Add on a secure storage locker starting at $25/month
STUDIO RECORDING 101:
a workshop series in collaboration with
In this 8-week workshop hosted by Equal Measure Arts at [the square], teen + adult students will get experience in a professional studio; try out different mic types & recording techniques; record a live MAMM band; practice editing, & overdubbing; and learn the fundamentals of mixing, mastering, and sharing songs. Enrollment is now open for February 2026 with limited capacity!
WHO’S AT [THE SQUARE]?
Check out some of the offerings from our growing community of creative professionals…
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Giorgi Baino: Engineer, Producer, educator, sound healer
30+ years experience; Dolby Atmos Certified; Gold Record with Spose for “I’m Awesome”; offering a range of educational programming at [the square] with a focus on supporting women and the LGBTQ+ community
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Joe Beninati: Engineer, Percussionist, Educator
15+ years experience as engineer & session drummer; Studio Manager at 317 Main Community Music Center; offering home production training, studio pre-production, & drum lessons at [the square]
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Genius Black: Producer, podcast host, author
Runs musical collective GEM CITY; hosts Maine’s Black Future podcast; political analyst for NewsCenter; board member of Portland Media Center & Portland Ovations; offering beat-making sessions at [the square]
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Chris Brown: Music business & marketing consultant
25+ years head of marketing at Bull Moose Music; inventor of Record Store Day; Maine Academy of Modern Music board member; professional music fan; offering artist coaching & development at [the square]
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Natalie Conn: Photographer & Videographer
Staff photographer at MECA&D; Education Coordinator at Portland Media Center; organizes media workshops; offering photography and videography for artists and events at [the square]
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Joseph Cyr: Engineer, Producer, DJ, Social Media Marketing Pro
10+ years producing music; adept in live sound + studio settings; AV integrator; professional DJ; offering recording sessions, post-production, and lessons on engineering + DJing at [the square]
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Dave Gutter: Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Performer, Producer
Grammy-winning songwriter; collaborator with David Bowie, Aaron Neville, Imogen Heap and The Roots; 30+ years active in Maine’s music scene as a founding member of Rustic Overtones; now offering songwriting sessions at [the square]
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Matt Perry: Engineer, Producer, Performer, Educator
Apple Certified Logic Pro producer; specializes in commercial audio, voiceover, & podcasts; credits include ESPN, Simon & Schuster, & NPR; offering production, educational training, and remote-directed recording sessions at [the square]
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Ethan Woodman Fowler: Photographer, Engineer, Educator
Head Engineer/Producer at Monaco Studios; co-founder of Equal Measure Arts; 10+ years teaching music at PATHS; multi-instrumentalist; offering music production, instruction, and photography at [the square]
Monaco Studios is a Falmouth-based music studio established in 2020, offering solar-powered recording sessions in a scenic farmhouse setting with lodging available on-site. Known for their high-quality audio & video productions, as well as community events, they’re thrilled to bring all that and more to downtown Portland at [the square].
[the square] COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Equal Measure Arts (EMA) is the nonprofit arm of Monaco Studios, harnessing community support to subsidize recording time & education for students and under-resourced musicians. EMA has developed programming with MAMM, MECA&D, and other educational institutions.
PORTL& designs and produces immersive installations, events, and experiences—offering their creative services to businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and artists alike. They are working toward a bold goal: to establish Maine’s first immersive arts theme park and venue, right here in Portland. For now, you can catch them at [the square].
Maine Academy of Modern Music (MAMM) has been a close collaborator in developing educational programming with Equal Measure Arts & Monaco Studios—in fact, their Studio Recording 101 workshop series was a major driving force behind the founding of [the square]! Now that workshop series is expanding, with enrollment now open for February 2026 classes serving teens & adults! Enroll here.
One Longfellow Square is one of Portland’s most charming and versatile non-profit performing arts and concert venues, and [the square] is thrilled to be supporting the inaugural year of their LEAF program! The Longfellow Emerging Artist Fellowship (LEAF) is a bold new initiative created to support early-career, Maine-based musicians in building sustainable, fulfilling lives as working artists. Find out more here!
JMG is the largest statewide education nonprofit in Maine, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the subsidized studio time & career training programs provided by Equal Measure Arts at [the square]! JMG serves more than 13,000 students a year in communities throughout Maine’s 16 counties, with specialists on-site at public schools to offer career prep resources based on the needs of their students.
