Arts News for May 2021
Announcing the FY21 Animating Infrastructure Grantees
Strengthening the connection between people and place, the five award-winning projects of our 2021 Animating Infrastructure grants promise to bring vibrancy and vitality to their communities through public art.

For this year’s grant competition, the Council received 40 letters of interest from communities in every corner of Vermont—from Canaan to Bennington, Swanton to Brattleboro and 25 towns in between. The types of infrastructure projects proposed integrating public art included everything from wetlands, community gardens, and rainwater catchments, to parks, trails, alleys, and streetscapes. 

Vermont Receives NEA American Rescue Plan Funds; More than $1M in NEA Grants for Vermont Organizations
The National Endowment for the Arts is recommending an award of $747,400 to the Vermont Arts Council in the NEA’s first distribution of funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

“The release of these American Rescue Plan funds marks an important step in the economic recovery of the creative sector,” said NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers. "The knowledge of the Vermont Arts Council about the arts and culture landscape in Vermont makes it an ideal steward of federal dollars. The Arts Endowment is grateful for the continued leadership of the Vermont Arts Council as the arts sector rebuilds in a way that works better for all arts organizations."
 
Vermont Arts Council staff will review NEA guidance in the coming weeks to determine how best to use these funds to address critical needs in the field.


The NEA has also announced its second round of FY21 grants, awarding over $88 million to organizations around the country and $1,102,740 in total to 14 Vermont arts organizations. Meet the NEA's latest Vermont grantees.
Congratulations to the Winners of the 40th Congressional Art Competition
On May 10 Rep. Peter Welch announced the winner of the 40th Annual Congressional Art Competition, which each year honors high school students from states across the nation with a place for their artwork in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Vermont's first place winner this year was Patient Mwibeleca of Burlington Technical Center for his photo, "Selfie Mirror" (pictured), which was chosen from among 160 entries.

“I am amazed by the creativity of talented young artists across Vermont,” Rep. Welch said. “Picking a winner is always difficult because of the brilliant work of so many artists. Congratulations to Patient for his beautiful work. He clearly has a bright future in the arts. I’m looking forward to seeing “Selfie Mirror” in the hallway on my daily walks between my office and the Capitol.”

Creative Aging Training for Teaching Artists this July
We are seeking teaching artists to participate in multi-day training as part of Vermont’s Creative Aging Initiative. The initiative seeks to build relationships across the state to provide older adults with creative opportunities, especially those that are homebound. It has developed from a partnership between the Vermont Arts Council and the Central Vermont Council on Aging.

The training is limited to fifteen teaching artists. Those selected to participate will receive a $300 honorarium and will have the opportunity to submit proposals for further developing curriculum as part of the initiative. Apply here.

The training will be provided by Lifetime Arts, the national leader in creative aging programs and services. Trainers will highlight current research, ideas for developing skill-based instruction for older adults, the importance of social engagement activities, and more.

Training dates: July 19, 20, and 21 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Please contact Troy Hickman with any questions.
Stages in the Sun
As Vermont reopens, we all look forward to a summer of safe outdoor gatherings, concerts, performances, and more. To encourage the safe celebration of the arts and the outdoors, Vermont organizations are teaming up for Stages in the Sun, an initiative to spread the word about the incredible array of great outdoor arts experiences being coordinated by parks, arts, and community organizations this year.

From free concerts in a park to poetry readings in the woods, from jugglers at a farmers market to world class theater in an outdoor amphitheater, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
 
Event organizers around the state are invited to jointly promote the array of outdoor events happening this year through the new and improved Vermont Vacation Events Calendar.
 
Learn more about Stages in the Sun and how to promote your events.
Vermont Creative Network News
Vermont's Creative Moment is Now
At the start of this month, we launched the CreateVT Action Plan for the future of Vermont's creative sector with a virtual gathering of nearly 200 participants. Speakers including Congressman Peter Welch, Vermont Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing Heather Pelham, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, Sen. Kesha Ram, and Rep. Sara Coffey affirmed the importance of the creative sector to Vermont's future.

Thank you to all who have submitted feedback since the launch party to help improve the final Action Plan. The public comment period has closed as of May 24, and Vermont Creative Network organizers are now reviewing submitted feedback.

Arts Council Grant Opportunities
Arts Impact Grants
Arts Impact Grants support nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools in their efforts to add vibrancy to Vermont communities by providing equal and abundant access to the arts. 

Deadline: June 11, 2021

Did you miss the grantseeker workshop on May 6? Watch a recording. Applicants with questions are encouraged to schedule a 30-minute call with Arts Impact grant contact Meredith Bell.
Cultural Facilities Grants
Cultural Facilities Grants help Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities enhance, create, or expand the capacity of an existing building to provide cultural activities for the public.

Deadline: June 7, 2021
Arts Briefs
We are open to nominations for the 2021 Vermont Arts Awards until June 1. Each year we give five awards to Vermont artists and arts organizations who exemplify excellence and service to Vermont's arts community. Learn more about the awards and how to nominate your local favorites on our website. Nominations are due by June 1.
The Summit on the Future of Vermont starts tomorrow May 26, and VAC executive director Karen Mittelman will moderate a 3:30 p.m. panel, "The Future of Vermont's Creative Economy." The Summit will continue through May 27 with a variety of panels and discussions based around the VT Proposition. Read a draft of the Proposition, and register for the Summit.
A free, two-part workshop starts tomorrow May 26 through May 27 on the subject of "Career Protection for Artists: Preparing for an Emergency During an Emergency," offered by CERF+ and the Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster Resiliency Network (VACDaRN). Register for the workshop.
Recent Classifieds
Posted: April 3, 2021
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: May 31, 2021

Posted: April 29, 2021
Category: Calls to Artists
End Date: June 1, 2021

Posted: May 11, 2021
Category: Job Postings
End Date: June 11, 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