Accessibility, equity, and community inclusion are important concerns for all nonprofits that provide programs and services to the public. The Art of Inclusion, a daylong convening, offers experiential learning opportunities to expand participants' knowledge, understanding of requirements, and connections to resources. Presenters will include artists, leaders from arts and cultural organizations, and representatives from disability service, advocacy, and funding agencies.

Find out how to register.

The Art of Inclusion is a collaboration of the Arts Council, VSA Vermont, the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the Vermont Center for Independent Living. It is supported in part by the Christopher Reeve Foundation and Innovations and Collaborations funds from the Vermont Community Foundation through VSA Vermont.

The Arts Council, in association with the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, is accepting applications from Vermont artists to design, fabricate, and install permanent installations of public art at two facilities in central Vermont. 

Site-specific works will be commissioned for the Fish Culture Station in Roxbury and the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. Visual, craft, or design artists (or artist teams), in all media, including landscape architecture and interior design, are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is April 10, 2017.

Additional information and application requirements are on the Art in State Buildings page.

The Council invites Vermont artists and artist groups to apply for exhibition in the Spotlight Gallery. Interested artists should submit materials online through March 10.

Exhibits generally run for two months, and the next show opens April 1, 2017. Selected artists will be paid a $150 stipend to assist with expenses.

Find out how to apply.

The Barre Opera House will soon resonate with recitations of contemporary poems brought to life by talented young people. On Wednesday, March 8, students from 35 Vermont High Schools will gather for the Vermont Poetry Out Loud 2017 Semifinals.

Join friends, family, and school groups to experience the beauty of spoken poetry and to cheer for these remarkable Vermont high school students.

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud and how to attend or watch the live stream.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram with #POLVT #POL2017.

The Arts Council recognizes outstanding individual and organizational contributions to the arts in Vermont. Each autumn, awards in several categories are presented at a public ceremony. These festive events provide an opportunity for the recipient to be honored by colleagues, friends, family, and members of the communities where they live and work.

Nominations for 2017 arts awards are welcome through March 31, 2017. Awards categories are:

Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts is awarded to individuals who have made a sustained contribution to the arts and had an impact on Vermont's cultural life.

Ellen McCulloch-Lovell Award in Arts Education is given to individuals who have made a sustained contribution to learning in and through the arts and/or had a positive impact on the quality of education in Vermont.

Margaret L. (Peggy) Kannenstine Award for Arts Advocacy is presented to an individual who has an established and well-deserved reputation in Vermont as an advocate for the arts and their impact on Vermont.

Find out more.

In Vermont, spring means maple sugaring season. It is also a great time to shake off the winter blues and explore Vermont's abundant art scene. From historic murals to outdoor sculpture, sweeten your day with a visit to a sugaring house and experience art along the way. Read more in this week's featured story: " Maple, Murals, Sugarhouses, and Sculptures."