Sharon Academy’s John Marshall took top honors at Saturday’s Poetry Out Loud State finals.  The 10th grader was one of 33 competitors representing schools from across the state.  Marshall will now advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC, on April 26-27, where $50,000 in scholarships and school prizes will be awarded. 

Abigail Volmer, a senior at Saint Johnsbury Academy, was the runner up in the competition.

Click here to view a slide show from the event.

Join your peers and the Vermont Arts Council for our annual session focusing on arts advocacy, idea sharing, and celebrating the arts across the state.

This year's event is titled "Trends and Truths in 2010."  We'll host an issues briefing meeting prior to lunch dates with legislators.  The afternoon session will include guest speakers sharing trends on the national advocacy scene and models for positioning the arts as a vital component for healthy, vibrant communities.  The reception with legislators will have an Irish flair (it is St. Patrick's Day, after all), and the day will conclude with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's annual Farmers' Night performance entitled "The Luck of the VSO."
 
Click here for a detailed schedule or to let us know you'll be attending.

In preparation for the Arts Council’s spring grant deadlines we have scheduled two workshops for artists, educators and organizations seeking grant funding.  The sessions are free of charge and include information on available grants, the application process, and other Council programs.

*  NEW * Do you want to take home a piece of the 'Action'? Check out our new Online Auction Portal. It's easy to navigate and fun to use ... plus, you just may wind up with a wonderful piece of artwork and support 'action' in the future.  All proceeds go to fund a new round of the project in 2011-2012.

Get out and see the art, meet the artists, and share some great discussions about the future of Vermont.  

• March 1 - April 29: The Curator's Choice Tour will be in Castleton at Christine Price Gallery on the college campus
• March 5 - March 15: The Artists' Choice Tour opens in St. Johnsbury at St. Johnsbury Academy
• April 12: The Curator's Choice Tour opens in Washington DC at Russell Rotunda for a special one-week run

For a complete list of events and upcoming exhibitions, click here. 

Art of Vermont: The State Collection is a traveling exhibit featuring 50 of the 1,000 pieces in the State's Art Collection.  It was created in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Art in State Buildings program and has been touring Vermont for the past year.  The exhibit will be making its final stop at the TW Wood Gallery in Montpelier from February 24 through April 18.  A reception will take place on Thursday, April 15, 5-7 PM.