This grant program operates on a three-year cycle. The deadline for this cycle has past however you may review the guidelines below for informational purposes. We will not accept applications again until the spring of 2011.
The purpose of this grant is to provide operating funds over a three-year period to assist local arts service organizations to maintain, develop and/or strengthen relationships and long-term partnerships in their communities. These activities and partnerships should reflect the Council’s mission “to advance and preserve the arts at the center of Vermont communities.”
The Goals and Objectives of this program are:
- To support partnerships between arts organizations and community groups that highlight the potential of the arts to address key community concerns;
- To assist qualifying Local Arts Service Organizations to strengthen long-term, sustainable partnerships in their communities;
- To further integrate the arts into Vermont communities, a key goal of the Vermont Arts Council.
Grants range from $4000- $7000.
This program operates on a three-year application cycle which started with the April 10, 2008 deadline. If an organization is funded the first year, support for the subsequent two years will depend on the organization’s ability to fulfill the terms of the grant contract and on the Arts Council’s ability to maintain the Local Arts Partnership grant program budget at the same level each year.
Grants require a 2:1 non-federal cash match.
Your application must be submitted electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 10, 2008. One copy of the application, plus any additional support materials must be mailed to us and postmarked on or before April 10, 2008.
| Deadline |
Notification |
Year 1 Activites
take place between |
| April 10, 2008 (passed) |
June 2, 2008 |
September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009 |
If funded, activities for year 2 (FY2010) take place between September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010 and for year 3 (FY2011) take place between September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011.
Since this is a three-year grant cycle, this program will not be open for applications again until the spring of 2011.
Vermont arts organizations that have submitted all required financial and narrative reports for past grants to the Council and that:
- Are a mission driven organization;
- Have 501 (c)3 tax exempt status (except for municipal arts agencies);
- Have at least 1 full-time (or equivalent part time) professional (paid) staff;
- Are open year-round;
- Provide year-round programming;
- Have regular office hours;
- Have a minimum annual operating budget of $50,000;
- Provide multidisciplinary programming;
- Provide programs and services by and for Vermont artists;
- Have an independent audit or review of annual financial report;
- Provide fiscal agent services;
- Have a specific territory or region that they serve;
- Have been in continuous operation for a minimum of 5 years;
- Comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
- Provide ongoing service in communities in collaboration with other civic, non-arts, or educational organizations
Organizations whose primary focus is a single discipline, (for example music school or theater company) or a single event(s) held over the course of a single day/weekend, or festivals are not eligible to apply.
Note: Arts organizations that receive a Local Arts Partnership Grant are not eligible to apply for Arts Learning Grants or Community Arts Grants (formerly Presentation Grants) during the fiscal years in which the Local Arts Partnership Grants are received.
The Council is interested in funding Local Arts Service Organizations that have demonstrated a long-term consistent presence in their communities and that have created partnerships with non-arts organizations or entities. The Council looks upon these Local Arts Service organizations as its partners in fulfilling its mission of “placing the arts at the center of Vermont communities.” The following are a few examples of possible activities that demonstrate significant partnerships. Partnerships with:
- Social service agencies and organizations for artist–led programs and residencies in community centers, low-income public housing, after-school programs, hospitals, and institutions dealing with incarcerated persons;
- Community business consortia to develop cultural districts and community festivals;
- Local and/or Regional planning and development organizations to address community cultural plans;
- Schools and/or other Educational Institutions for artist-led arts programming;
- Municipalities and town governments that address civic design issues.
Funding will not be available for:
- Capital expenditures
- Equipment purchases above $300
- Construction or renovation of facilities
- Academic tuition
- Deficits from past activities
- Food or beverages
- Fundraising events
- International travel
- Projects that deliver services to organizations that are not equal partners
- Projects funded with other Vermont Arts Council grants
Organizations that receive funding must abide by the Legal and Other requirements as stated for all grant recipients. In addition, organizations:
- must attend regularly scheduled meetings which will include updates/information on a variety of topics such as accessibility, advocacy, technology, marketing etc. (Exact topics and schedule to be determined);
- must submit a completed/updated access self–assessment survey and implementation plan to the Council in the third year of funding;
- must promote and prominently display the Vermont Arts Council & National Endowment for the Arts logos in publications and at events;
- must maintain a listing in the Vermont Arts Council’s Arts Directory;
- must list their events regularly in the Vermont Arts Calendar;
- are encouraged to attend the Council’s annual “Arts Achievement Day”;
- are encouraged to participate in the Council’s “Art Fits Vermont” program (this will be dependent upon the Council’s receipt of additional funding from the legislature).
All applications are reviewed by peer professionals drawn from a variety of organizations around Vermont and New England. Funding recommendations from the peer panel are then presented to the Council’s Board of Trustees for their review and approval. Also see General Program Guidelines.
Applicants must have demonstrated:
- Artistic Quality (30 %) of the organization’s programming based upon evidence that the:
- programming is of high artistic quality and is closely aligned with the mission of their organization. (evaluated by additional support materials)
- Impact (40%) of the organization’s partnership activities based upon evidence that the organization demonstrates:
- multi-year community partnerships and collaborative activities that significantly support the goals stated in the Vermont Arts Council’s 2008-2012 strategic plan (i.e. creative economy activities; arts education activities; outreach to underserved communities; employment of Vermont artists; local partnerships with non-arts organizations);
- employment of Vermont artists
- involvement in arts advocacy efforts
- compliance with the Requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
- Planning & Evaluation (15%) of the organization’s activities based upon evidence that the:
- management and staff are appropriate to support the work of the organization. (evaluated by key individual bios/resumes etc.
- evaluation plan is appropriate to the organization’s goals and activities;
- Promotion (15%) of the organization’s activities based upon evidence that the:
- promotion plan is appropriate to the organization and its activities;
- organization has adequate outreach to and inclusion of diverse populations.
The Council reserves the right to reject incomplete applications. Applications missing any of the following items will not be reviewed.
- Application narrative
- Supplemental & Artistic Support materials
- Annual Report and Financial Statement (independently reviewed or audited statements preferred)
- Signature of individual(s) authorized to commit the parties to the project
Applications missing other components such as required attachments or signatures may fare poorly in the review process.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the grant amount for the first year will be paid to the grantee after the Council receives the signed contract and any outstanding reports due from previous grants. (25%) will be paid after the final report is received, due 30 days after completion of the grant year no later than September 30, 2009. Grant contracts for year two and three of the funding cycle will be generated after the final report from the prior year has been received and approved by the Council.
The first payment for each year takes place after September 1 due to Federal funding restrictions.
All applications include a combination of an online submission and items that are submitted directly to the Council via regular mail. Online applications must be submitted electronically no later than 4:30pm on the application due date. Supplemental materials must be mailed to the Council and postmarked on or before the application due date.
Submission Instructions:
1. COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION: Login here to begin your online application which will include the following sections:
- Organizational Overview
- List of Board Members
- General Grant Information
- Bio of Current Staff (Key Individuals)
- Impact Numbers
- Answers to Narrative Questions
2. MAIL YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: Applicants must also print and mail the following to the Council:
- 1 copy of the PDF generated from the online application system (be sure to sign it!)
- 7 copies of the organization's most recently completed:
- Annual Report
- Financial Statement (Independently reviewed or audited statements preferred)
- 4 sets of supplemental materials generated within the last 2-3 years:
- that help portray and define the organization – including last two seasons of artistic programming. (1 set of supplemental materials may include up to 5 samples of your materials).
- Be sure to include samples that demonstrate the use of accessibility symbols and materials provided in alternative format.
- Samples can include brochures, newsletters, CD’s, DVD’s, letters of support, photos, and/or newspaper articles etc.
If you have questions regarding this grant program, contact Sonia Rae at 802-828-5425.