Vermont Creative Futures Act Aims for Historic Recovery Package |
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The Vermont Creative Network is advocating in the Vermont Legislature for an economic recovery package that invests $17.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for cultural non-profits and creative businesses, a sector profoundly jeopardized by the pandemic.
Companion bills have been introduced in the House and Senate (S.202 and H.624), which could deliver relief to over 200 creative businesses and cultural organizations in Vermont to help them rebuild and recover and to ensure the viability of these important community institutions. Grant recipients would include museums, theaters, galleries, studios, performing arts venues, and other cultural organizations, as well as individual creatives and creative sector businesses.
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2021 Highlights: Our Annual Report, the Vermont Arts Awards Videos, and a Pandemic Recovery Report |
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As another year of the pandemic unfolds, we're taking a moment to wrap up 2021 with a look back at some of the year's major highlights.
We published our FY2021 Annual Report in digital and print formats, telling stories and providing interactive data showing how our programs touched Vermont artists and communities over the year.
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For the second year, we couldn't celebrate the 2021 Vermont Arts Awards with an in-person ceremony. Instead, we produced tribute videos that celebrate each recipient, including a statement recorded by Governor Phil Scott to honor Sydney Lea, the recipient of the 2021 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
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Also in 2021, we continued efforts to respond to the economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, including a new grant program for organizations in partnership with Vermont Humanities. Through the Cultural Recovery Grant Program, we distributed $1.2 million to 146 grantees. Read our report on this program, "Pandemic Recovery in Vermont's Cultural Sector."
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Vermont Vacation Calendar Promotes BIPOC Cultural Events |
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We are teaming up with the Vermont Partnership for Fairness & Diversity, the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing to spread the word about the incredible array of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) cultural experiences being coordinated by theaters, museums, galleries, libraries, parks, arts, community organizations and other cultural groups.
We invite event organizers in all corners of the state to promote cultural events that center BIPOC artists and individuals through the Vermont Vacation Events Calendar's new "BIPOC Cultural" category. This new event category will feature events in which:
- the visual artist, performer, author, lecturer, or any creative actor is a member of the BIPOC community.
AND/OR
- the content of an artistic production or lecture by non-BIPOC individuals centers the BIPOC experience
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Vermont Creative Network News |
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New Faces and Fond Farewells in the Network |
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Please join the Vermont Creative Network in saying hello and welcome to our new Outreach Organizer, Johanna de Graffenreid. Johanna's work centers around advancing the goals of the VCN Action Plan and building the capacity of the Network.
We also welcome a new Steering Team member, Lauren Masseria, and three new zone agents: Monica Callan (Four-County), Kelly Hickey (Addison/Rutland), and Molly Stone (Catamount Arts). And welcome back to Zon Eastes, former VAC staffer and originator of the VCN, who is returning as zone agent for Southern Vermont.
As we say hello to new faces, we also say a fond farewell to Paul Costello, Gary Holloway, Eric Mallette, and Robert McBride--thank you all for your many contributions to the Network!
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Vermont Poetry Out Loud Returns to the Barre Opera House |
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Students from more than 20 Vermont high schools will travel to the Barre Opera House on March 14 to represent their schools at the 2022 Vermont Poetry Out Loud State Competition.
To provide a safe space, attendance at the Barre Opera House will be limited to participating students and chaperones. The event will be livestreamed from the Vermont Poetry Out Loud Facebook page.
The state winner will compete in the National Competition in May.
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Art in the Time of Covid: Ida Mae Specker |
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"The pandemic has brought challenges, but also a chance to say, 'What are my core values that I'm going to rebuild myself around? How can I put forth the truest representation of myself and my values through my art?'" –Third-generation fiddler Ida Mae Specker
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Council Grant Opportunities |
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Thanks to new partnerships with Vermont Community Foundation and other funders, we have been able to significantly increase our funding to individual artists through the Creation Grant and Artist Development Grant programs. The maximum amount for an Artist Development Grant has doubled since FY2021, and in FY2022 we increased the total Creation Grants awarded from 15 to 23. |
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Artist Development Grants
Artist Development Grants help artists at all stages in their careers pursue professional development, master new skills, improve their businesses, and more.
Deadline: Feb. 14, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
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Creation Grants
Creation Grants support artists in creating new work. Grant funds may be used to compensate the artists for time spent creating new work, to purchase materials, or to rent equipment or space for the process. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: April 4, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
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Hot tips on Vermont arts? Send us your news items! Use this form to let us know about new projects, local happenings, and other items of interest to Vermont creatives.
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Our next Digital Access workshop with Inclusive Arts Vermont is "Beyond the Physical: Meeting Sensory Needs" on Feb. 1, 2022. Register for the workshop.
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Save the date! On Feb. 4 we'll host a public presentation of concept art for an Art in State Buildings installation at the Department of Mental Health Recovery Residence in Essex.
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The Summit School
Online
Jan. 29
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Southern Vermont Arts Center
Online
Feb. 5-6
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Retreat Farm
Brattleboro
Feb. 19-27
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Posted: November 23, 2021
Category: Job Postings
End Date: February 11, 2022
Posted: January 4, 2022
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: February 18, 2022
Posted: January 5, 2022
Category: Job Postings
End Date: February 28, 2022
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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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Connect with us on social media |
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Vermont Arts Council | 802.828.3291
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