The Vermont Arts Council offers Artist Development Grants to support artists throughout their careers across all counties in Vermont. These grants help fund activities that enhance an artist’s skills or improve the viability of their business. They can also support parts of new work creation when it enables artists to seize rare and important opportunities.
The maximum grant award is $2,000, with the grant period running from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. Eligible expenses include advanced study with a mentor, attending professional conferences or residencies to build artistic or business skills, hiring professional services like photographic documentation or marketing, purchasing materials or equipment under $5,000, or renting studio space outside the artist’s home for exhibitions or performances.
Applicants must be individual Vermont artists who have lived in Vermont for at least one year before applying and remain residents when awarded. Residency means Vermont is their primary home, used for legal forms, taxes, and registrations. Applicants must be 18 or older and have completed all reports for any previous Vermont Arts Council grants.
The Council defines a practicing artist as someone committed to devoting significant time to art and working in disciplines like visual arts, crafts, performing arts, literary arts, media, design arts, or multidisciplinary arts. Vermont artist groups may also apply if one member meets these requirements and serves as the group’s representative.
For more information, visit VAC.
