The purpose of the Community Arts Grants is to provide support for arts activities that engage communities and/or audiences in an arts experience. The Council is interested in funding projects and programs that bring together diverse groups of people and link them through shared, arts-based experiences.
The Goals and Objectives of this program are:
- To raise awareness of, and respect for, the value of the arts in community.
- To foster collaboration between artists, arts organizations, schools, community groups and businesses.
- To advance and preserve the arts at the center of Vermont communities, the mission of the Vermont Arts Council.
Grants range from $1000- $5000.
- $1000 - $2,500 for organizations whose primary focus is not the arts
- $1000 - $5000 for community arts organizations.
Grants require a 1:1 non-federal cash match unless your organization is making a case for serving an underserved constituency. Please see General Grant Guidelines for details or call for assistance.
Your application must be submitted electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 1, 2010. One copy of the application, plus any additional support materials must be mailed to us and postmarked on or before June 1, 2010.
| Deadline |
Notification |
Activities take place between |
| June 1, 2010 |
August 1, 2010 |
September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2011 |
There is only one deadline in this grant category.
In general this category is for non-profit arts organizations, but occasionally educational institutions or non-arts organizations may apply for a project that is arts-based and therefore appropriate to this category.
You may not apply for a Community Arts Grant if:
- You have received a Local Arts Partnership Grant
- You have applied for an Art Learning Grant
- You have applied for a grant in any other category for the same project
Arts-based experiences such as:
- Performances/Exhibits/Screenings/Readings (including Fairs and Festivals) with a strong community outreach component (i.e. workshops; lecture/demonstrations, master classes, Q&A sessions, etc.)
- Collaborations between arts and non-arts entities (social service organizations, municipalities, economic development groups, etc.)
- Programs designed by or in partnership with underserved populations.
- Program improvements that increase access to the arts for people with various disabilities.
- Cultural Heritage Tourism and Creative Economy activities where arts/crafts organizations are working in partnership with at least one non-arts organization.
- Commissioning an artist for the creation of new work where the community is engaged in the process (i.e. planning, fabrication and/or presentation of the art.
- Training or consultation on community design issues for city/town planning or select boards
Funding will not be available for:
- Capital expenditures
- Equipment purchases above $300
- Construction or renovation of facilities
- Academic tuition
- Deficits from past activities
- Food or beverages
- Fundraising events
- International travel
- Lobbying expenses
- Projects funded with other Vermont Arts Council grants
See General Grant Guidelines for more information
Organizations that receive funding must abide by the Legal and Other requirements as stated for all grant recipients. In addition, organizations:
- must attend a Council sponsored meeting which will include updates/information on a variety of topics such as accessibility, advocacy, technology, marketing etc. (Exact topics and schedule to be determined);
- must promote and prominently display the Vermont Arts Council & National Endowment for the Arts logos in publications and at events
- must maintain a listing in the Vermont Arts Council’s Arts Directory (arts organizations only)
- must list their events regularly in the Vermont Arts Calendar
- are encouraged to attend the Council’s annual “Arts Achievement Day”
All applications are reviewed by peer professionals drawn from a variety of organizations around Vermont and New England. Funding recommendations from the peer panel are then presented to the Council’s Board of Trustees for their review and approval. Also see General Program Guidelines.
Applicants must have demonstrated:
- Artistic Quality and Educational/Cultural Value (40% of score) of the proposed activity based upon evidence that the project or program:
- utilizes artists, consultants and/or advisors of high artistic quality (based upon support materials);
- employs Vermont artists and/or provides Vermont artists with opportunities to engage with or learn from visiting artists;
- addresses a community need.
- Impact (30% of score) of the proposed activity based upon evidence that the project or program:
- provides opportunities for the audience or community to interact with the artist or otherwise learn about the art form (i.e. lecture/demonstrations, workshops, Q&A sessions, master classes, etc.);
- creates or strengthens collaborations between the arts community and other community organizations and/or schools;
- reaches underserved populations including, but not limited to, rural, low income, immigrant or refugee populations, at-risk youth or individuals with disabilities and/or exposes audience or community to a new, little seen or culturally diverse art form(s);
- applicant is in compliance with the Requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
- is clearly presented and demonstrates the applicants ability to complete the proposed activity;
- has a budget that is cost effective, and that the grant amount requested is reasonable.
- Evaluation (15% of score ) of the proposed activity based upon evidence that the project or program:
- has a clearly articulated evaluation plan, including reasonable & measurable goals, appropriate means to measure outcomes and appropriate people involved in conducting the evaluation (partners & artists, etc.)
- Promotion (15% of score) of the proposed activity based upon evidence that the applicant:
- has a reasonable plan in place to promote public engagement in and/or awareness of the project/program using means of communication that are appropriate to the size and scope of the project;
- communicates the value of the project or program to the community and/or policy makers;
- agrees to give appropriate credit to the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, if funded.
The Council reserves the right to reject incomplete applications. Applications missing any of the following items will not be reviewed.
- Application narrative
- Organization Overview
- Budget
- Artistic Support materials
- Signature of individual(s) authorized to commit the parties to the project
Applications missing other components such as required attachments or signatures may fare poorly in the review process.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the grant amount will be paid to the grantee after September 1, 2010 and after the Council receives the signed contract and any outstanding reports due from previous grants. (25%) will be paid after the final report is received, due 30 days after completion of the project.
The first payment for each year takes place after September 1 due to federal funding restrictions.
All applications include a combination of an online submission and items that are submitted directly to the Council via regular mail. Online applications must be submitted electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. on the application due date. Supplemental materials must be mailed to the Council and postmarked on or before the application due date.
Submission Instructions:
1. COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION: Login here to begin your online application which will include the following sections:
- Organizational Overview
- List of Board Members
- General Grant Information
- Bio of Key persons involved with the project including artists and project coordinators (Key Individuals)
- Impact Numbers
- Answers to Narrative Questions
2. MAIL YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: Applicants must also print and mail the following to the Council:
- 1 copy of the PDF generated from the online application system (be sure to sign it!)
- In addition:
- 1 set of artistic support materials (click link for more information)
- 7 copies of letters of support (recommended)
- 7 copies of additional support materials (examples include brochures, newspaper articles, sample evaluations, promotional materials, etc.)
- 7 copies of contract or letter of agreement between collaborators (if applicable)
- 1 SASE for the return of artistic support materials only (optional)
- 1 copy IRS verification of nonprofit status
If you have any questions regarding this grant program, contact Sonia Rae, Community Programs Manager at 802-828-5425.