Arts News for June 2021
New Covid-19 Cultural Recovery Grants for Vermont Organizations
To offset the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vermont arts and humanities organizations can again apply for emergency relief funding through the Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities.

A total of $1.2 million in grants seeded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and funded through the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities were made available starting June 21 through the new Covid-19 Cultural Recovery Grant Program co-administered by the Arts Council and Vermont Humanities.

Applications for the first round of funding are due July 21. Learn how to apply.
New Artist Development Grantees Announced
Thanks to a partnership with the Vermont Community Foundation and contributions from Higher Ground and Vermont Burlesque, we were able to make 85 Artist Development Grant awards totaling $47,522 in FY2021. In this latest round, we awarded fund to 25 grantees. See the list of recent grantees.

Artist Development Grants support artists at all stages of their careers. Grants can fund activities that enhance mastery of an artist’s craft or skills; activities that increase the viability of an artist's business. Funding may also support aspects of the creation of new work when the activity allows the grantee to accept a rare and important opportunity. A new round of Artist Development Grants will open in July.

Revamping New England's Creative Sector Directory
New England’s creative sector is undergoing massive change right now, and CreativeGround, the regional directory for creative enterprises and artists, is no different. Its website is getting an upgrade and is now in the beta-testing phase, and they're gathering resources to help you through these challenging and transformative times.

Click on these links for more information about upgrades to the CreativeGround website, sector resources for COVID-19, and sector resources for Racial and Social Justice work:
  • CreativeGround News: website updates, and the latest communications from the CreativeGround team
  • COVID-19 Resources: NEFA’s assembled list of resources for arts and culture sector to navigate support opportunities in light of the coronavirus pandemic
  • Anti-Racism Resources: NEFA’s assembled list of racial and social justice resources to strengthen anti-racist work, as a member of the arts and culture sector
Creative Aging Informational Webinar July 8
Vermont's Creative Aging Initiative is building relationships across the state to provide older adults with creative opportunities, especially those that are homebound. Key to this work is the development of a network that includes artists, local arts organizations, Vermont's area agencies on aging, and service providers for older adults in the state.

In a one-hour informational webinar on July 8, 2021, area agencies on aging, arts agency staff and volunteer services will learn about the history and background of the creative aging field, different areas of practice, the cross-sector nature of the work, and the first steps they can take to begin envisioning creative aging opportunities in their state.

Promote Safe Outdoor Events Through Stages in the Sun
Vermont summers are meant to be spent together outdoors, and with the state's reopening we are all looking forward to a season of gatherings once again. If you're organizing an outdoor concert, festival, class, or play this summer, we want to help you promote it through the Stages in the Sun initiative!
 
Submit your events to the new and improved Vermont Vacation Events Calendar to be cross-promoted by the Arts Council, the Vermont Recreation & Parks Association, and the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing.
 
Learn more about Stages in the Sun and how to promote your events.
Vermont Creative Network News
Vermont's Creative Economy Makes Waves
The VCN is finalizing the CreateVT Action Plan following the closing of the public comment period at the end of May. Thank you to those of you who provided comments and feedback. The final version will appear on the VCN web pages soon, and then the work to help bring the plan into fruition starts in earnest. Stay tuned for ways to get involved.
 
In other news, the Vermont Creative Economy is making waves. The Future of Vermont’s Creative Economy was the topic of a panel at the Summit on the Future of Vermont held in May. Also check out our series of commentaries on the CreateVT Action Plan in VTDigger:
 
 
There’s more to be found on the VCN website. Keep up with VCN news by subscribing for updates.
Arts Briefs
The seventh annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival returns to in person programming in 2021 after going virtual last year due to Covid-19. Over 100 films will be screened at the festival, Aug. 25-29 in Middlebury. Tickets are on sale now.
The Vermont Community Foundation's Spark Connecting Community grants are open to applications until Aug. 9. This year they're prioritizing creative placemaking efforts that integrate art and community building.
The Vermont ACCD's Economic Recovery Bridge Program is opening to applications. The program aims to provide priority funding to businesses that have not received prior state or federal financial assistance. 
Recent Classifieds
Posted: June 7, 2021
Category: Job Postings
End Date: June 30, 2021

Posted: May 16, 2021
Category: Job Postings
End Date: July 4, 2021

Posted: May 20, 2021
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: July 19, 2021
Submit Listings to Our Arts Calendar and Classifieds
Are you organizing an exhibit, concert, class, or other arts event? Do you need to list an ad for space, residencies, or a call for submissions? Submit your event listing to our calendar, or submit a classified ad listing.

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.
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.
Vermont Arts Council | 802.828.3291