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MONTPELIER, VT— Movement, music, storytelling, and more are among the arts activities available soon to Vermont’s youngest and oldest through programs supported by grants from the Vermont Arts Council.
“Learning in and through the arts is vital to living fulfilled, whole lives for Vermonters of all ages. Arts education experiences help us understand and enrich our lives, each other, and our communities. We’re proud to support innovative programs across Vermont that nurture artistic growth and strengthen social bonds,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure.
Since 2021, the Council has led a Creative Aging initiative to address the needs of older Vermonters through meaningful arts learning experiences. This year, 25 organizations received a total of $100,000 in funding through the program. Grants of up to $6,000 will support skill-based instruction alongside opportunities for social engagement and community building in and through the arts for older adults.
Eligible applicants are non-profits with 501(c)(3) status, such as arts organizations, libraries, senior centers, area agencies on aging, or social service organizations.
Among the funded activities for older Vermonters are arts workshops in Wolcott, creative circus arts in Island Pond and Newport, multi-week visual arts programming at senior centers in Burlington, Winooski, and Bellows Falls, and a beginners ukulele program in Vernon.
For more information about Creative Aging grants and full listing of recent grantees, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/creative-aging/.
The Council’s Early Childhood Arts Partnership grant program serves Vermont’s youngest learners, connecting preschool learning sites with Vermont arts organizations and Vermont teaching artists to develop the foundation for lifelong arts learning. This year, eight organizations received a total of $35,000 in funding. Grants of up to $6,000 will support early education programs with direct opportunities to help children and families gain an appreciation for the arts and be better prepared for school.
Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, such as arts organizations, Head Start centers, or social service organizations as well as public schools/districts with preschools.
Among the funded projects are hands-on art, music, and movement classes at 17 area Head Start classrooms in Windham County, professional development workshops for early childhood educators in Caledonia County, art and nature exploration in Middlebury, and pre-school music education with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.
For more information about Early Childhood Arts Partnership grants and full listing of recent grantees, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/early-childhood-arts-partnership/.
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