What is your most pressing expense? Is it a pricey piece of equipment you are saving for, or the cost of gas and hotels when you travel to an installation? Or, is it paying yourself, as an artist?

The Council values time spent creating art. That is why we offer the Creation Grant. This grant can pay for the hours an artist works, and, unlike other programs, doesn't require a cash match.

An Artist Development Grant can be used for transportation or promotion of work. Artist Development funds can also support artists in broadening their horizons through classes on mastering their craft or increasing their business savvy.

Both programs are the subject of the grant seeker workshops taking place across Vermont in February and March.

What two things can you do that will help you write a competitive grant proposal? First, read all about the program and become familiar with the application. Next, attend a grant seeker workshop; you'll gain insight beyond the online materials.

Workshops highlight the most important aspects of the programs, reveal how the evaluation process works, and help you think about your project from the panelists' perspective. Come prepared with an outline or a draft of your application so you can apply what you learn to your current project.

There will be three locations and dates:

• February 24: Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon Street, Brattleboro. 1 - 3 p.m. Registration deadline February 17.
• March 1: Hartford Town Hall, 171 Bridge Street, White River Junction. 1 - 3 p.m. Registration deadline February 24.
• March 2: North End Studios, 294 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. 1 - 3 p.m. Registration deadline February 24.

You must pre-register to attend. Email Meredith Bell, or call her at 802.828.3292.

This month, we want to shine the spotlight on everyone who has completed the Breaking Into Business program. We are celebrating with gatherings in Brattleboro, Hartford, and Burlington. We invite all alumni to gather for networking and resource sharing directly following the grant seeker workshops. Keep in touch and support one another. Register here for the February 24, March 1, or March 2 alumni gatherings.  

Gatherings are only for alumni of Breaking into Business workshops.