![[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
THIS MONTH AT [THE SQUARE]…
STUDIO RECORDING 101 WORKSHOPS
Join our 8-week workshop in collaboration with MAMM: try out different mic types & recording techniques; record a live MAMM band; practice comping, editing, & overdubbing; and learn the fundamentals of mixing, mastering, and sharing songs. Now for teens and adults! (Scholarships available through Equal Measure Arts)
Now offering co-working & rehearsal hours!
Pull up a chair for our Creative Co-working hours weekday mornings, book a last-minute rehearsal space for you & your band, or snag a private room ready for your video/podcast production—we’ve got something for everyone. Want to hire a pro? Drop us a line here.
Sat. Jan. 24: Screenings @ [the square]
Kicking off our new series of film screenings with the award-winning WMPG documentary An Extraordinary Place – plus an acoustic live performance from local band One Hundred Thorns, and Q&A with the filmmakers and DJs!
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 January 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 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!
