With so many worthy causes seeking financial support these days, it can be challenging to decide where your investment will have the most impact. So why choose the Vermont Arts Council? Because the arts have a demonstrated record of making a difference in the lives of Vermonters and in Vermont communities.
The Arts are fundamental to a robust economy. Vermont is home to more than 2,150 arts-related businesses employing at least 6,780 people--about 6% of the state’s workforce. In the past five years Arts Council grants to artists, arts organizations and arts educators have provided 30,000 employment opportunities across the state.
The Arts are cost effective. A mere .042% of the State’s General fund is allocated to the arts. In fact, paving one mile of road costs two times more than what the State invests in the arts! And yet this small investment yields a tremendous return. On average, Arts Council grants are matched by private dollars 5 to 1. That means the $500,000 we award this year will generate more than $2 million in spending in Vermont communities.
The Arts are basic to education. Studies show that students who participate in the arts improve their academic achievement and are better prepared to join the 21st century workforce. Arts Learning Grants fund educational opportunities that engage their boundless energy and imagination. Cultivating their joy, talents and collaborative skills prepares youth for their role as productive and creative citizens.
The Arts build social connections and civic engagement. A community’s social bonds and economic health are clearly linked. By participating in projects like Art Fits Vermont, parades and community festivals, people deepen their relationships with one another through their shared cultural experiences. They also tend to value the importance of civic participation, healthy living, and family cohesion.
Your gift matters. Please contribute today!
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You can make a single contribution or set up monthly installments. Donating is easy, safe and 'green' using our secure online form.
There are many ways to support the Vermont Arts Council with a planned gift, including trusts, will provisions, retirement plan designations, and insurance policies in which the Council is named as beneficiary. Even if you cannot give a large gift at present, you can arrange a deferred gift and still enjoy income from your assets. Council staff, drawing on resources made available by the Vermont Community Foundation, would be happy to work with you and your financial or estate-planning advisors to determine the gift best suited to your needs, desires, and goals.
To find out more about Planned Giving, contact Diane Scolaro, Communications & Development Director at 802-828-5423 or by email.
If you work for, or are retired from, one of the community-minded companies listed below, you can double your contribution to the Vermont Arts Council! Most will match your gift dollar for dollar. Some companies triple the amount of your gift -- even if you are a retired employee!
To apply for a match of your donation to the Arts Council, contact your employer's human resources office for a matching gift form and mail the completed form to:
Vermont Arts Council, 136 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633
If you have any questions, please contact Diane Scolaro, Communications & Development Director at 802-828-5423.