Arts News for November 2020—Covid-19 Edition
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Covid Impact and Relief by the Numbers
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The impact of the pandemic on the creative sector has been enormous, and the data bears this out. According to a Brookings Institution study from August, Vermont's creative sector lost 8,090 jobs and $216M in sales from April to July 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Within weeks of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Vermont Arts Council mobilized to deliver immediate relief to the field, and we continue to advocate at the state and federal level for more funding. It’s clear that the arts, and all of the creative sector, will be essential to the recovery of Vermont communities and businesses.
Over the past seven months, the Council has awarded five times the number of grants we typically award in a year, including developing and implementing three new grant programs. We have awarded relief funds to 470 artists and 181 cultural organizations, including grants to the Clemmons Family Farm and the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association for re-granting to their artist networks.
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Artist Development Grants Support Digital Pivot—New Deadline Jan. 11
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Since announcing a special round of Artist Development Grants in early August, the Council has awarded 31 grants to artists in nine counties, and of them 19 supported an artist's "digital pivot" in some way.
These include nine website launches or redesigns, six purchases of equipment or services for digital media, and four online courses or digital media consultations. Of the artists receiving these awards, six of them are teaching artists working in Vermont schools through our Artists in Schools program.
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Art Installation Unveiled at Fish Culture Station in Roxbury
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Vermont's oldest fish hatchery, the Roxbury Fish Culture Station, has a new art installation through the Council's Art in State Buildings program.
Sean Hunter Williams' sculpture of a spawning wild brook trout was installed this fall. It is enlarged six times the average size of a brook trout and made of green granite polished to reflect the natural hues and patterns of a trout. Titled “The Origin of the River,” the sculpture honors both the creative, feminine energy in nature and the proud heritage this native species represents to Vermonters.
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Animating Infrastructure Grantseeker Workshop Dec. 3
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A new round of Animating Infrastructure grants has opened, with letters of interest due by Dec. 13, 2020.
Animating Infrastructure Grants support community projects that integrate art with infrastructure improvements. The Council’s definition of infrastructure is broad. It includes community facilities and services such as buildings, trails, water or sewer systems, roads, power systems, parks, and more.
To learn more about this grant, what to include in the letter of interest, selection criteria and more, join us for a free Grantseeker Workshop on December 3, 1-2:00 p.m. on Zoom. Learn more and register online.
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Help Plan Strategies for Vermont's Creative Sector Action Plan on Dec. 1
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The Vermont Creative Network is making a statewide action plan for Vermont's creative sector, and you're invited to help! Join us on Dec. 1 for IdeaJam: Strategy, the final of three conversations we've held with hundreds of creatives all across the state this year.
On Dec. 1 we'll talk key strategies for advancing Vermont's creative sector, with breakout brainstorming sessions on the topics of marketing, training, partnerships, and more.
11:30-12:00 optional speed networking
12:00-1:00 breakout brainstorming sessions
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Creative Zone Profiles: Cornerstone Creative Community
Meet Carrie Caouette-De Lallo
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The Chelsea Arts Collective began when Carrie Caouette-De Lallo wanted to her community to have access to fine art in all forms. Carrie's daughter laid the groundwork for the collective, and together they envisioned reviving Chelsea to transform it into an arts destination accessible to all.
The mother-daughter team, along with close friends, created the first annual Arts on the Green Festival three years ago. The festival was a huge success, with over 500 people in attendance. The pandemic, of course, hastened many changes. Read more of Carrie's story.
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Steering the Ship: A Q&A with Vermont's Cultural Leaders
Erin Evarts
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"Your history, your connection with the community, and your reputation will all remain intact if you try something new. We can’t be precious about what has been and the way we have done things." —Erin Evarts, executive director of Lyric Theatre.
Lyric Theatre is a non-profit, volunteer community theater organization located in Burlington, Vermont. As a community theater, they are committed to keeping their programs affordable, offering educational and theatrical activities, sharing resources, and working cooperatively with schools other community groups.
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I am a Vermont Artist: KeruBo
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Burlington Afro-jazz singer Irene Kerubo Webster, who goes by the stage name KeruBo, uses her voice to heal and inspire. Her latest song and music video, “Hakuna Lolote,” is a message of hope and comfort for the African and New American Vermonters she serves as a social worker.
The video depicts members of Vermont’s African community supporting each other through the Covid-19 pandemic, staying connected while social distancing.
For KeruBo, music and language can redeem us, return to us what has been lost. In 2015, she suffered an aneurysm that left her unable to walk or speak, let alone sing. A musician of over 20 years, she turned to music for her recovery and has since dedicated herself to song as service.
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2020 Vision: In-person and Online
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Forty-eight Vermont museums & galleries are reflecting on this world-changing year through a statewide cultural conversation, with exhibitions both in-person and online. Find more at VermontCuratorsGroup.com, and learn how you can submit passport entries to win prizes for each exhibition you experience.
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River Arts
Morrisville
In-person
Through Jan 15
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Soapbox Arts
Burlington
Virtual Exhibition
Through Dec 17
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Catamount Arts
St. Johnsbury
Virtual Exhibition
Through 2021
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Bennington Museum
Bennington
In-person
Opens Nov 27
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By decree of Governor Scott, November is Local Music Month in Vermont! Big Heavy World has partnered with musicians and businesses across the state to provide discounts and special offers to those who buy music by local Vermont musicians. There's still time to participate! Learn more at hearvermont.org.
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The Vermont International Film Festival has partnered with the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival to present "Split/Screen," an eight-month curatorial collaboration. From November through June 2021, the festivals will co-present a monthly series of films online. Learn more about Split/Screen.
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Brattleboro Women's Chorus
Online
Nov 25
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Putney Craft Tour
Online
Nov 27 - 29
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Vermont Studio Center
Online
Dec 11
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Posted: October 26, 2020
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: December 1, 2020
Posted: October 23, 2020
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: December 15, 2020
Posted: November 5, 2020
Category: Job Postings
End Date: January 1, 2021
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Submit Listings to Our Arts Calendar and Classifieds
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Listings are free and seen by thousands of people throughout and beyond Vermont. Once submitted, eligible listings are reviewed, categorized, and published within two business days. Council staff may contact you for more information.
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Subscribe to Our Featured Stories
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Who knows the Green Mountain arts scene better than the Vermont Arts Council? Our Featured Stories blog offers a deeper dive into Vermont's vibrant and diverse art world with interviews, feature articles, and special series like "I am a Vermont Artist." Click the button below to receive new posts in your inbox.
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The Vermont Arts Council is funded, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which requires a 1:1 match from the Vermont State Legislature. Council grants, programs, and statewide arts promotion would not be possible without the critical funding provided by these government agencies.
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Vermont Arts Council | 802.828.3291
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