Blainor McGough

Blainor McGough is an Administrative Specialist at USM’s School of Education and Human Development. She provides support to the departments of Literacy, Language, and Culture, Special Education, and the Public Policy PhD. 

Prior to her position at USM, Blainor was the founder and Executive Director of Mayo Street Arts (MSA) in Portland Maine, an arts center and cultural hub serving Maine artists and the diverse communities of East Bayside from 2009-2021.

At MSA, Blainor developed the center’s art, music, and educational programs, oversaw the purchase and renovation of the center’s historic building, and secured key resources for the center including a National Endowment for the Arts award for TAN, a traditional arts network for New Mainer artists and RAD, an arts-literacy program for immigrant and refugee youth, and secured a Community Development Block Grant increasing visual, physical, and cultural access to the center, making the building wheelchair accessible for the first time in its 130-year history.

Blainor is the recipient of the Stand for the Arts Award (2018), for level of community outreach and engagement, ability to create inclusive access to artistic programming, and innovative approach to arts education and skills development, as well as the Metamorphosis Award (2018) honoring visionary arts leaders building arts opportunities for youth in Maine.

Before becoming an Executive Director, Blainor served at a number of Maine nonprofit organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Shoestring Theater, and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Blainor took some time to be with family in 2021, and has been pursuing garden design and the art of vintage motorcycle racing.

Now a graduate student in the Adult and Higher Education MS program at USM, Blainor lives in Gorham with her husband and 2 boys, 2 dogs (Kate and Marscilla), cat Speedo, and a Grandpa.