Eagle Times Staff
MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont Arts Council has announced $1,931,000 in awards to 85 creative sector organizations and businesses in its final round of funding through the Creative Futures Grant program.
This distribution marks the end of this unprecedented investment in Vermont’s creative sector. The program has distributed more than $8.8 million to 233 organizations and businesses across the state since December 2022.
Supported by funds from Vermont’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act, the program seeks to provide relief to one of the state’s economic sectors hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Funding amounts were based on 2019 (pre-pandemic) operating revenue and could be used for any regular operating expenses, including but not limited to, payroll and benefits, utilities, rent and insurance.
Of the 85 recipients, 38 were nonprofits and 47 were for-profits. Recipients were from across Vermont and represented all seven segments of the creative economy: performing arts; visual arts and crafts; culture and heritage; design; film and media; literary arts and publishing; and specialty foods.
Vermont’s creative sector lost millions in revenue and thousands of jobs during the pandemic. Though the worst of the crisis may be over, the state’s core cultural organizations continue to struggle to make up for lost revenue, reach sometimes hesitant audiences, and invest in new ways to present programming—both safely indoors and innovatively online.
This summer’s catastrophic flooding has continued to create significant challenges for the sector.
“This historic investment enables business and nonprofits in Vermont’s important creative sector to find their footing once again and plan for the future,” Susan Evans McClure, Vermont Arts Council Executive Director, said. “As this program comes to a close, we are grateful for Vermont’s legislature and Gov. Phil Scott who recognized that a healthy and vibrant creative sector ensures a bright and resilient future for Vermont.”
The Creative Futures program of the Vermont Arts Council was made possible by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Department of Economic Development.
For more information about the Creative Futures program and a full list of grant recipients, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y54zadzk.
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