The Vermont State Legislature is in session, which means that it is time for budget negotiations and arts advocacy. The Arts Council has built its 2017 advocacy agenda upon strategic planning, constituent input, and research into the larger Vermont context.
The Council's three-point agenda is as follows:
Increase the Arts Council appropriation from $675,307 to $1,175,000
Ensure the arts are a part of every Vermont student's education
There are many ways to engage.
Sign up to receive periodic advocacy updates during the legislative session. Use the Council's
Action Center to stay informed. Send personal letters or email to your elected officials. Invite your elected officials to arts events in your community.
Mark your calendar for
Friday February 3, Vermont Arts Advocacy Day. We are planning a fun and participatory event at the State House and will suggest other ways to voice your support for public funding of the arts. Stay tuned!
BREAKING NEWS:
Today, "The Hill," a highly respected congressional news source, published "
Trump Team Prepares Dramatic Cuts," which outlines actions the incoming administration is considering to shrink the federal bureaucracy. Among the proposed cuts are elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.
We are working with our partners at Americans for the Arts and the National Association of State Arts Agencies to learn more about these plans and to develop advocacy strategies to address them. Sign up for our
Advocacy Updates to keep abreast of developments.
Welcome to Vermont Arts 2017
Back by popular demand, we bring you Vermont Arts 2017! This year-long celebration highlights the stunning array of arts festivals, concerts, performances, and exhibits that take place all across the state.
The Council invites you to participate in
The Art of Inclusion. This convening on April 5 will focus on accessibility and community inclusion.
Learn more.
The Kellogg-Hubbard library seeks submissions for
PoemCity 2017 in Montpelier. Submissions will be accepted through February 1.
Find more information.
Building a Marketing Plan is a workshop specifically designed to help nonprofits develop a succinct
marketing plan.
Read more.
The Nelson Withington Skating Rink is in Brattleboro.
You'll have better luck finding maple products for sale in central Vermont than in northern Vermont.
The population in Essex County is very close to that of Grand Isle County (both are near 6,000).
These facts - among others - were researched by fourth graders at the Academy School in Brattleboro, then recorded on maps. It was all part of a project integrating arts with history led by teaching artist Mollie Burke.
Read more about it in the week's featured story:
Intersecting Art.
