Does art support you? Tell us how!

Drop by the Vermont Arts Council's Video Van during Burlington's Art Hop and tell us how art supports you, your business or your community.  Your video will be part of an initiative that demonstrates the importance of art in Vermont communities. We'll be at the Soda Plant (270 Pine Street) on Friday and Saturday, September 10-11. The first 500 stories will get a free t-shirt!

Can't attend?  Join us on Facebook or register on at ArtSupportsMe.org.  If you're one of the first 20 people, we'll send you a t-shirt!

The Cultural Facilities Grant Program helps improve, revive or refurbish historic Vermont buildings as community and cultural gathering places.  Awards range from $750 to $20,000.  Online applications will be available Friday, August 20th and the submission deadline is Thursday, October 7th.

Two grantseeker workshops are planned for those interested in learning more about the program:

• Tuesday, September 7: Cabot Town Hall, 3:00-5:00 PM
• Thursday, September 9:  Union Hall in Newfane, 3:00-5:00 PM

It's back!  The Council’s "Breaking into Business" program premiered earlier this year to wide acclaim.  The two-day workshop offers business and marketing planning specifically tailored to the needs of artists.   It is open to Vermont artists of all disciplines and facilitated by Maren Brown and Dee Boyle Clapp from the Arts Extension Service at UMass Amherst.

Support for this year's workshops has been generously provided by Ernst & Young and Main Street Landing. 

Upcoming workshops:

• October 19-20: Main Street Landing, Burlington
• February 12-13:  Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Jct.

Applications are now being accepted for the October workshops in Burlington.  Application deadline: September 17th. 

Click here to learn more.

Poetry Out Loud is a national competition that encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems.  Last year students from 33 Vermont schools vied to represent the state at the national finals in Washington, DC. 

Registration is now open for schools interested in the 2011 competition.  The application deadline is November 1, 2010 and the State Finals will take place on March 16, 2011.  Click here to learn more or to register.

The Art in State Buildings program supports Vermont artists and enhances working environments by improving the character and quality of State-owned buildings and public spaces.  The Arts Council, in partnership with the Department of Buildings & General Services, is currently seeking Requests for Qualifications from Vermont artists or artist teams to design, create, and install aesthetic enhancements to the Forensics Lab and the Department of Public Safety Facility in Waterbury, VT. 

Deadline for submissions is September 17, 2010.