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Governor Douglas Announces $606,000 in ARRA Funds to Preserve Jobs in the Arts

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas announced today that 42 Vermont arts organizations have been awarded funding totaling $606,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These grants will help preserve jobs in Vermont’s nonprofit arts sector that have been threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to jumpstart the economy, create and protect jobs, and invest in key priorities,” said Governor Douglas. “Like other jobs, arts jobs help individuals and families pay household expenses, put children through college and achieve financial stability.”

Through ARRA, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) received $50 million to help restore and preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector. As partners of the NEA, state arts agencies and regional arts organizations like the New England Foundation for the Arts, played an important role in advancing the goals of this program. 40 percent of the $50 million was distributed directly to the state and regional arts organizations.

The Vermont Arts Council received $250,000 to support and preserve jobs in Vermont’s non-profit arts sector. Some arts organizations were eligible to apply directly to the NEA and/or to the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for this funding. If approved by one or more grant-maker, the applicant had to choose one. Sixteen Vermont Arts organizations were eligible to apply directly to the NEA. Of these, eight were funded for a total of $341,000. Vermont and Iowa ranked highest in the percentage of applicants funded at 50 percent, though Iowa only had eight applications. Two Vermont organizations applied directly to NEFA and one was funded for $15,000.

“Non-profit arts organizations contribute to economic revitalization not only by employing workers, but also by stimulating commerce, enhancing property values, generating tax revenues and helping communities retain their vibrancy. As of January 2009, Vermont’s cultural sector included more than 2,150 arts-related businesses employing at least 6,780 people, and these grants will help this important segment of our economy weather this recession,” Douglas continued.

This year we have employed more than 75 artists from Lamoille County, paid thousands of dollars in payroll taxes while providing after school, elder and day care arts programs - as well as festivals and shows. We've worked with college interns, folks doing community service, Reach Up and vocational training,” said Steve Ames, Executive Director River Arts in Morrisville. This grant allows us to rehire a program director and leverage that position to hire many more artists to deliver arts programming in Lamoille County. It will keep our mission to Enrich the Community through the Arts alive and well.”

“The Stimulus funds enable us to continue staff and programs at current levels and to add back an important artist residency. Both are hugely important to Burlington’s downtown economy and the quality of life of the region,” said Andrea Rogers, Executive Director and CEO, Flynn Theater, Burlington

The Arts Council created Art Jobs, a competitive grant program to help the state’s arts community weather the immediate economic storm while continuing to fulfill artistic and public service goals. Non-profit arts organizations were invited to apply for one-time grants to support staff salaries, as well as artist or consultant fees. Organizations with annual operating budgets under $150,000 could apply for up to $5,000, and those with budgets of $150,000 or more could apply for up to $10,000. The Council received 92 applications totaling $729,650 in requests.

Summary of grants to Vermont arts organizations:

# of grants Total

Grantor: funded: granted:

National Endowment for the Arts 8 $341,000

Vermont Arts Council: 33 $250,000

New England Foundation for the Arts: 1 $ 15,000

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Total ARRA Arts Funding for Vermont: $606,000

The following is a list of recipients by county and grant amounts:

Addison County:

Friends of the Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes

$4,600 from VAC

To support the positions of Executive Director and Administrative Assistant

Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Technical Director

Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury

$10,000 from VAC

To support the positions of Director of Education and Archivist

Bennington County:

Manchester Music Festival, Manchester

$9,200 from VAC

To support artist fees for the mentoring program tour

Oldcastle Productions, Bennington

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Producing Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director

Vermont Arts Exchange, North Bennington

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Office manager

Caledonia County:

Catamount Film & Arts, St. Johnsbury

$9,500 from VAC

To support the positions of Artistic Director, Box office manager and Head Projectionist

Grass Roots Art & Community Effort, Hardwick

$10,000 from VAC

To support the positions of Workshop Program Director and Exhibition Director

Chittenden County:

Burlington City Arts, Burlington

$50,000 from NEA

To support visual arts exhibitions

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington

$50,000 from NEA

To support artist performances

Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater, Burlington

$5,000 from VAC

To support the position of General Manager Assistant

Vermont MIDI Project, Essex Junction

$5,000 from VAC

To support the position of Project Coordinator

Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington

$9,200 from VAC

To support artist fees for 12 musicians

Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, Colchester

$6,900 from VAC

To support the position of Orchestra manager

VSA Arts Vermont , Winooski

$9,200 from VAC

To support artist fees for the “Start with the Arts” program

Grand Isle County:

Island Arts, North Hero

$4,600 from VAC

To support the position of After School Music Program

Lamoille County:

River Arts of Morrisville, Morrisville

$10,000 from VAC

To support the position of Adult Program Coordinator

Vermont Studio Center, Johnson

$50,000 from NEA

To present visual arts

Orange County:

Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph

$10,000 from VAC

To support the position of Community Outreach Manager

Orleans County:

Circus Barn, Greensboro

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Artistic Director

Haskell Free Library, Derby Line

$5,000 from VAC

To support the position of Opera House Theater Manger

Kingdom County Productions, Barnet

$10,000 from VAC

To support the position of Producer/Director

Rutland County:

Paramount Center, Rutland

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Technical Services Director

Washington County:

Focus on Film, Montpelier

$5,000 from VAC

To support the positions of Chief Programmer, Graphic Designer and Web Designer

Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier

$9,500 from VAC

To support the positions of Audience Services Manager/Marketing Assistant and Production Manager/Technical Director

Studio Place Arts, Barre

$8,900 from VAC

To support the positions of Executive Director and Administrative Associate

T.W. Wood Art Gallery, Montpelier

$4,750 from VAC

To support the position of Administrative Associate

Vermont Alliance for Arts Education, Waterbury

$4,600 from VAC

To support the position of Executive Director

Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier

$41,000 from NEA

To support artist and consultant fees

Vermont Crafts Council, Montpelier

$5,000 from VAC

To support the position of Office Manager

Windsor County:

Gallery at the VAULT, Springfield

$5,000 from VAC

To support the positions of Gallery Co-Managers

Northern Stage, White River Junction

$9,500 from VAC

To support the position of Education Manager

Opera Theatre of Weston, Weston

$2,300 from VAC

To support the position of Teaching Artist/Choreographer

Pentangle Council on the Arts, Woodstock

$15,000 from NEFA

To support Administrative staff

Windham County:

Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro

$10,000 from VAC

To support the position of Education Director

Great River Arts Institute, Bellows Falls

$4,750 from VAC

To support the position of Adult Program Director

New England Youth Theater, Brattleboro

$25,000 from NEA

To support Arts Education programs

Marlboro College, Marlboro

$50,000 from NEA

To support design programs

River Gallery School, Brattleboro

$10,000 from VAC

To support the position of Outreach Coordinator/Teacher

Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, Bellows Falls

$5,000 from VAC

To support the position of Executive Director

Sandglass Center for Puppetry and Theater Research, Putney

$25,000 from NEA

To support theater performances

Yellow Barn, Inc., Putney

$50,000 from NEA

To support music performances

Source: Office of the Governor
Last Updated at: August 05, 2009 13:51:32