Grantees represent organizations from Burlington, Guilford, Johnson, Middlebury, and Putney
Six Vermont arts organizations were awarded grants totaling $110,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In announcing more than $27 million in grants awarded nationwide during this grant round, NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, “The arts are part of our everyday lives – no matter who you are or where you live – they have the power to transform individuals, spark economic vibrancy in communities, and transcend the boundaries across diverse sectors of society. Supporting projects like those in Vermont offers more opportunities to engage in the arts every day.”
Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Alex Aldrich said “We are pleased that six influential Vermont arts organizations received direct grants from the NEA. These grants represent the broad scope of creative enterprise in Vermont – from folk and traditional arts to more contemporary multidisciplinary works. The Arts Council congratulates the grantees and encourages Vermonters to support these and the many other arts organizations throughout the state.”
For more information about the NEA Fall Grant Round is available here: www.arts.gov/news/2015/27-million-awarded-arts-projects
The grants were awarded to:
$50,000: Guilford Performance Lab, Inc. (aka Vermont Performance Lab) in Guilford
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting and Multidisciplinary Works
To support artist residencies. In addition to commissioning fees, artists will receive research and production support to create and present new work at the Vermont Performance Lab. Artists will develop their work in studios, theaters, and other sites across rural southeastern Vermont, and will engage local residents throughout the research and development process. Featured artists will include choreographer/theater artist Ann Carlson, writer/performer Ain Gordon with Talvin Wilks, choreographer Jennifer Monson, choreographer Cynthia Oliver, and So Percussion ensemble.
$20,000: Vermont Studio Center, Inc. (aka VSC) in Johnson
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Artist Communities
To support residencies and related activities for emerging visual artists and writers. Participating artists will be provided with private studios, housing, and stipends, as well as mentorship opportunities with visiting established artists. Through partnerships with local schools and art centers, opportunities will be available for artists to engage with the community through presentations, workshops, and readings.
$10,000: Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater, Inc. in Burlington
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Folk and Traditional Arts
To support the West African Dance and Drum Festival. Master artists from Guinea, Mali, and Senegal will share dance traditions from their homelands in a series of workshops and demonstrations. Additionally, classes will be offered in traditional instruments such as the “djembe,” “sabar,” “krin,” “doundoun,” and the “balafone.” The workshops and demonstrations will culminate with a program of West African dance featuring many of the artists and workshop students.
$10,000: Vermont Stage Company, Inc. (aka Vermont Stage) in Burlington
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Theater and Musical Theater
To support the development and production of a new play by Jacqueline Goldfinger. The play tells the story of a crime victim who becomes a social activist and computer hacker out of the need for retribution, using graffiti in her attacks on the websites of organizations and individuals who exploit their communities. The development period will include full workshops of the work-in-progress, in which the creators will explore the integration of technology into the performance. The theater plans to partner with organizations from the visual arts community in Burlington and to offer student matinees in partnership with the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.
$10,000: President and Fellows of Middlebury College in Middlebury
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Literature
To support the publication and promotion of print and digital issues of the “New England Review” and exclusive online content. The quarterly journal will add new audio, video, and original writing to its website, as well as news highlights about the journal and its authors. The journal will be promoted through a quarterly e-newsletter, blog, and social media, among other platforms.
$10,000: Yellow Barn, Inc. in Putney
FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support the Yellow Barn Program and Artist Residencies, a professional development project. During the annual summer chamber music festival, musicians will participate in rehearsals, coaching sessions, master classes, and performances with faculty and guest artists selected by Artistic Director Seth Knopp (a founding member of the Naumburg Award-winning Peabody Trio), such as violinist Daniel Chong, violist Katherine Murdock, pianist Gilbert Kalish, and cellist Natasha Brofsky, and composers Stephen Coxe, Travis Laplante, David Ludwig, and Christopher Theofanidis. Yellow Barn Artist Residencies, a retreat program for professional, performing musicians, furthers the art of musical performance by providing an environment conducive to undistracted study, an exchange of ideas, and opportunities for performance.
