The dome of the Highland Center for the Arts was aglow with light as people gathered to celebrate five talented and accomplished Vermonters at the 2017 Governor's Arts Awards. An enthusiastic audience gave each awardee a standing ovation and cheered as one after another described the importance of arts and creativity in our lives and communities. The Dance Company of Middlebury, under the direction of Christal Brown, presented a moving performance of "Native + Stranger," a dance piece created specially for the evening.

Governor Phil Scott presented the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, citing David Macaulay's international renown and his contributions to the state. Former Governor's Arts Award winner Ed Koren accepted the award on behalf of Macaulay who was unable to attend.

It was an evening of accolades and joy in celebration of the vital role of the arts in Vermont.

Head Start Arts Integration Grants fund partnerships between local arts organizations or other nonprofits and Head Start agencies. These grants support early education teacher and student learning in and through the arts. Expert teaching artists mentor classroom teachers on how to integrate the arts into a curriculum. The goal of the program is to achieve social and learning objectives and foster creativity in Head Start schools. The following organizations received FY2018 Head Start Arts integration Grants:

• Brattleboro Museum & Art Center 
• Burlington Children's Space 
• Burlington City Arts 
• Catamount Film and Arts Center 
• Flynn Center for the Performing Arts 
• Vermont Arts Exchange 

               
Accessibility: Plan Ahead is a one-day convening addressing the why, what, and how of building a plan for accessibility and inclusion. Nonprofit administrators will learn to assess the accessibility of their facility, programs, and policies, and gain an understanding of what a comprehensive accessibility plan is and how to create one.

Accessibility: Plan Ahead
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Bethel Town Hall
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Register here .

Teaching artists from the Northeast Kingdom and surrounding areas are invited to a mixer and networking event on Sunday, November 5 at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. The gathering is hosted by the Vermont Creative Schools Initiative, WonderArts, River Arts, Catamount Arts, VSA Vermont, and the Vermont Arts Council.

Artists in all media are welcome to join together for light refreshments, conversation, and presentations on professional development resources and job opportunities. A long-term goal of the group is to create a community of teaching artists in the region for ongoing sharing of resources and best practices.

Learn more.

Karen Mittelman, the Council's new executive director, has only been on the job for nine days, but she has hit the ground running! Find out what she has planned as she leads the way into the Council's future. Read an interview with Karen in Meet Karen Mittelman, this week's Featured Story.