COVID-19 and Vermont Arts Council Grantmaking

*The infographics represent relief grants awarded from April to November 2020. Full details about our COVID-19 relief funding.

The grant relief map represents the following programs in 2020: Rapid Response Artist Relief Grants, COVID-19 Cultural Relief Grants, Vermont Economic Recovery Grants through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and Special Program Grants. The Vermont Arts Council continues to advocate for further recovery and relief funding; check back on this page for announcements about future funding. This page summarizes the changes and additions to our grant programs; please reference specific grant program pages for more details.

The CARES Act Report to the Community

In March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit Vermont, the Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities developed a joint response to deliver urgently needed economic aid to struggling cultural organizations.⁠

From weekly Zoom strategy sessions for cultural leaders to appeals to state and federal political leaders, we advocated for resources and support for museums, galleries, historical societies, performance venues, libraries, theater and dance companies, cultural centers, and more. And we continue this daily work as the pandemic continues.⁠

Together, we have produced a final report, our “Cares Act Report to the Community,” which tells the story about this joint program that brought $781,000 in a matter of weeks to 123 cultural organizations across Vermont in all 14 counties.⁠

Read the CARES Act Report to the Community.

For Current Grantees

Program managers are here to help and have already been in touch with many grantees. In most cases, we can grant extensions for projects and reporting. In many cases, we can adjust the terms/scope of the grant to accommodate cancelled events. And when possible, we are shifting project grants to be unrestricted. Contact your grant’s program manager to discuss your needs.

Program Statuses

The Vermont Arts Council recently switched to a new grant management system. If you have applied for a grant using our old system, your login credentials will no longer work. All applicants, new and old, must register in this new system using the "Register" link on the portal landing page. New user accounts for organizations must be reviewed and approved by Council staff before grant applications can be accessed. Please allow 1-2 business days for approval to occur. If you run into issues with registration or signing in, please send an email to Meredith Bell.