Featured Stories

A call for nominations for the appointment of a new poet laureate is open. Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Arts Council invite you to submit your choice by April 25, 2019. The poet laureate serves as Vermont’s ambassador for the art of poetry and is called upon to participate in official ceremonies and readings within Vermont and nationally. This is an honorary position, appointed by the governor based on the recommendation of a distinguished panel of judges. Read More

In the Green Mountain State, sweet signs of spring include maple forests awakening and a plethora of outdoor art awaiting visitors. With more than 3,000 sugarmakers in residence, Vermont is the top maple syrup producer in the United States, generating over one million gallons annually. This year, pair your visits to the state’s famed maple sugarhouses with outdoor arts exploration. From Maple Open House Weekend, March 23 and 24, to the Vermont Maple Festival, April 26 to 28, the opportunities for exploring Vermont arts and savoring the season are as ample as maple is sweet. Read More

The Council’s most sought-after support comes by way of Creation Grants. Both the number and size of the awards have recently increased, but the competition remains stiff. A strong application matters. Start with quality work samples (here’s a tip sheet that will help). And when you're ready to kill it on the narrative questions, read this sage advice gathered from three crack panelists: Andrea Rosen, Allison Coyne Carroll, and Mickey Myers. Each were asked the same questions. No one minced words, and the responses were remarkably aligned. Read More

Congratulations to Arianna Barrios from Arlington Memorial High School; Sam Bulpin from St. Johnsbury Academy; Alyese Caruso-Randall from Bellows Free Academy, Fairfax; Owen Darling from Mount Abraham Union High School; Vera Escaja-Heiss from South Burlington High School; Ada Melton-Houghton from Brattleboro Union High School; Anna Senesac from Rice Memorial High School; Sirena Sawyer from Mount Mansfield Union High School; Adsel Sparrow from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans; and Eloise Silver Van Meter from Thetford Academy. These students had the highest scores in their region at the semifinals held March 8 and will advance to the championship round held March 18, 2019 at Vermont PBS studios. Read More

A network is born when an arts organization provides a showcase for visual artists. Catamount Arts, an independent arts center based in St. Johnsbury and serving northern New England, is known primarily for bringing film and live performance to the region. The organization also provides local gallery space, offering the foundation for connection with artists in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom (NEK) and beyond. For Looking North: Catamount Artists Connect opening in the Arts Council’s Spotlight Gallery March 8, Catamount Arts' Gallery Director Katherine French selected the work of nineteen artists from the NEK. Everyone exhibiting is a member of the organization. Collectively, they represent only a handful of the creative individuals who live and work in the northern part of our state. Read More

The Vermont Poetry Out Loud 2019 Semifinals are scheduled for March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at the Barre Opera House. The snow date is March 11. Champions from thirty-one high schools across the state will compete. Ten finalists will be named at the end of the day, and will continue to the State Championship held Monday March 18 in partnership with Vermont PBS at their studios in Colchester. The state champion will move on to the National Championship held April 29-May 3 at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The event can be seen via live stream on the Vermont Poetry Out Loud Facebook page. Read More