The answer to the question you pose is a resounding "yes" -- through the art of bonsai. It takes a lot of work, and there never comes a time when the tree is "done" and will stay small without pruning, but it's a fascinating practice.

Maples -- particularly A. palmatum and A. ginnala (aka A. tataricum 'ginnala') are two of the most popular non-conifers used in bonsai, but even an A. rubrum or A.saccarum can become a bonsai with the proper effort.

Check out the bonsai forum here on gardenweb, and research bonsai elsewhere on the 'net as well.

But before you even get started, remind yourself to always pronounce it "bone-sigh" -- the vowel of the first syllable and the initial consonant of the second syllable are different from the famed war cry of the kamikaze!