Blainor McGough

Blainor McGough is the Accreditation Data Specialist in the Office of Educator Preparation at the School of Education and Human Development.

Blainor is the founder and former 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 McGough developed the center’s art, music, and educational programs, coordinated 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, RAD, an arts-literacy program for immigrant and refugee youth, and a Community Development Block Grant, making the building fully 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.

Blainor is an avid garden designer and horticulturalist, and as part of her graduate study in Adult and Higher Education is currently working on Forest Therapy Guide certification. She has 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.

A vintage motorcycle enthusiast and racer, Blainor is the 2024 Formula Flyweight Class Champion of the United States Classic Racing Association.

Blainor lives in Gorham and enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their 2 boys, 2 dogs, and cat Speedo.