The Vermont Arts Council has announced the 30 recipients of its foundational Arts Partnership awards, providing three years of unrestricted, general operating funds for arts organizations across the state that, in their words, “keenly understand the needs of their communities and address those needs through the arts.”
Awarded once every three years, the awards “represent the largest investment in organizations that are helping to support the Council's mission to cultivate and advance the arts and creativity throughout Vermont,” according to the council.
“Arts Partners” must be Vermont-based tax-exempt, tax-deductible nonprofit arts organizations that offer year-round, high-quality arts programs and services. Organizations receive $3,000 to $8,000 each year for the three years.
For this grant year, the Council received 52 applications - almost double the amount from past grant cycles. Eligibility was expanded to allow organizations with one half-time paid staff member to apply. A total of $165,600 was awarded to 30 organizations, 10 of which were first-time awardees.
Local awards for fiscal year 2021 to support operating and administrative costs include:
• Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, $7,000.
• Brattleboro Music Center, $5,600.
• In-Sight Photography Project, Brattleboro, $3,000.
• New England Center for Circus Arts, Brattleboro, $8,000.
• Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, $4,000.
• Weston Playhouse, Weston, $7,200.
• Yellow Barn, Putney, $8,000.
A team of five external panelists reviewed the applications based on the quality of its arts programming or services, response to community and audience, sustainability and organizational capacity, and evaluation and measurable outcomes.
For more information about the program, visit vermontartscouncil.org/grants/organizations/arts-partnership.