Featured Stories

The Flynn Center for the Arts in Burlington serves as a model on many fronts, including established and new ways of addressing inclusion. Executive Director Anna Marie Gewirtz notes that “the Flynn has really had a commitment to making the arts accessible for a very long time … it’s been central to our mission.” That commitment shows in the physical space. In addition, training for internal staff and calling on the expertise of external partners are priorities; teaching artists are well-versed in addressing multiple learning styles. The organization presents a diverse range of performers and has hosted multisensory exhibits. Anna Marie and former Director John Killacky offered a glimpse into the thinking that has backed consistent progress. Read More

“There truly is room for everyone under the big top.” Jennifer Carlo, executive director at Circus Smirkus posits that the history of the circus is a story of inclusion. “Circus really is all about celebrating differences and bringing it all into a cohesive whole.” Often performers excluded from more traditional art forms have been recognized and given a home. Circus, as she describes it, is built on “bringing different talents and different people together to create something that is just magical.” Jen is guiding the organization, with strong support from the board and their newly formed Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in renewed efforts to expand their residency program. The work stems from intentional strategic decisions. From a birds-eye view to feet on the ground, personnel at Smirkus strive persistently to eliminate barriers. Read More

Details in one of Kate Burnim’s paintings spurred the first conversation. Daryl Burtnett saw an entire story inside a small portion of the piece. The two artists talked about that, and have spoken many times since. The painters were showing up in the same spaces, the same shows. Each visited the other’s studio. What dialogue led to this joint exhibit? Read More

Vermont’s writers enrich our culture as their words move us—emotionally, first, then literally. For example, Nico Amador (pictured left) offered “I recently had a high school teacher in Montpelier write to say she'd used a couple of my poems in a unit on LGBT writers, and she shared some of the observations they'd made about one poem, specifically. I was so touched to know that my poems had reached these students and they had treated them with such care.” Then we all edge one societal inch forward with Julia Shipley, who will be “recording twelve tiny essays I wrote for The Old Farmer’s Almanac as their first female calendar essayist since the Almanac's founding in 1792.” Read More

Are you thinking about applying for an FY2020 Arts Council grant? Attend a workshop between April 22 and 24. Designed for both new and experienced grant writers, these free workshops focus on Council grant programs currently open for application: Arts Impact and Creation. Participants will gain an understanding of program guidelines, learn how to construct a competitive application, and have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of Council staff—including our new Artist Services Manager Dominique Gustin. Read More

. . . and pleasure to serve as the eighth poet laureate of Vermont. I have especially enjoyed working without a prescribed job description, undertaking projects of my own design.” So said Chard deNiord reflecting on his four-year term that ends in November. Read More