ADVOCACY

Legislative Wrap-Up: Creative Sector Advocacy, New Laws, Summer Plans

The Vermont Creative Network advocated for the creative sector in every corner of the statehouse throughout the busy legislative season and historic veto session. Our legislative priorities aligned around a key vision—that arts, culture, and creativity are essential infrastructure that help to solve existing, significant issues in Vermont. Learn more about our progress at the Statehouse this session as well as new laws that will affect Vermont's creative sector.

And remember, summer is a great time to invite your legislators to attend your performances, exhibits, and programs. Find your legislators' contact here and reach out this summer!

NETWORKING

Make Connections in the Vermont Creative Network Facebook Group

Looking for more networking opportunities? To offer or request support, share your work and ideas, and organize meetups with members of your local creative community, join the Vermont Creative Network Facebook Group.

We welcome all who support or are a part of Vermont’s creative sector – artists and designers, makers and crafters, entrepreneurs and teachers, performers and students, funders and leaders. Visit the Vermont Creative Network Facebook Group and introduce yourself today.

RESEARCH

New Report Aims To "Understand What It Takes for Black Artists to Thrive in Vermont"

Clemmons Family Farm recently released a three-part research project, entitled “How Are We Doing?” The report includes findings gleaned from artist interviews, wellness check-ins with artists, and literature on Black artists’ empowerment and measures of thriving in the arts and health sectors.

Find data-driven action steps on supporting the wellbeing of Black artists in Vermont at the Clemmons Family Farm website.

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the devastating floods across the state. Find up-to-date flood resources for the arts and cultural sector at our Flood Disaster Resource page.

Additionally, join us for the VACDaRN Day of Learning on Sept. 17 in Barre. The day offers a variety of trainings and resources on risk assessment, event safety, emergency planning, cultural programming for recovery, and more. Whether you're an artist, event organizer, or keeper of cultural artifacts and records, this day will provide inspiration, a sense of community, and practical tips for building disaster resilience.

Photo: Volunteers from Barre Up, helping clean up after the July 2024 floods.

Welcome to the Four-County Creative Sector Zone! Your zone agent is Phayvanh Luekhamhan. Phayvanh helps make connections with creative businesses and nonprofits in Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Washington counties.

Each edition of this newsletter will provide you with updates from the creative sector in these four counties. Got news you'd like to share? Drop us an email.

Here's the latest from the Four-County Zone:

• Join Vermont Humanities, Catamount Arts, and the Vermont Arts Council for an afternoon of poetry, music, and stories to celebrate the life and legacy of the influential Vermonter Reuben Jackson. This event, taking place on Aug. 31 in Montpelier, will include performances from those close to Jackson and his work, as well as a community slideshow of memories. This will also be the official release date of his book, "My Specific Awe and Wonder", published by Rootstock Publishing. All proceeds from the book will benefit a scholarship in Reuben's name at the University of the District Columbia for students interested in poetry and/or jazz.

• Congratulations to Enosburg Falls artist Sarah Amos for winning the 2024 Vermont Prize! Amos creates mixed-media hybrid prints on both paper and fabric, with a focus on pattern and tangible material. Learn more about Amos' work and the Vermont Prize.

Artist Development Grants - Vermont Arts Council

New and improved application process + funding for flood relief!

Application Deadline: Sept. 10, 2024

New England Dance Fund - NEFA

Application Deadline: Sept. 13, 2024

Project Grants - Vermont Humanities

Application Deadline: Sept. 16, 2024

Public Art Learning Fund - NEFA

Application Deadline: Sept. 16, 2024

Coming Soon: Creative Aging Grants - Vermont Arts Council

Application Opens: Sept. 1, 2024

Coming Soon: Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants - Vermont Arts Council

Application Opens: Sept. 1, 2024