The Creative Futures program of the Vermont Arts Council is made possible by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Economic Development.
Donor Name: Vermont Arts Council
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 11/01/2022
Details:
The aim of this program is to provide aid to creative sector organizations and businesses that continue to struggle financially due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sectors
The following segments make up the creative sector:
- Culture & Heritage – Historical societies, museums, libraries, independent curators, and exhibit designers
- Design – Product, interior, graphic, architecture, and fashion design firms and designers
- Film & Media – Creators of film, video, animation, digital games, including technicians, costumers, editors
- Literary Arts & Publishing – Print or electronic publishing businesses and content creators, editors, and writers
- Performing Arts – Producers, venues, studios, sound and light technicians, set designers, and performers
- Specialty Foods – Specialty and artisanal food producers.
- Visual Arts & Crafts – Galleries, artists, artisans, craftspeople, culture bearers, and makers
Who May Apply
- This program is open to all Vermont-based creative economy nonprofits and for-profit businesses including sole proprietors that can demonstrate economic harm caused by or exacerbated by the Covid19 pandemic. Unincorporated arts, humanities, or cultural groups without official nonprofit status may apply using a fiscal agent provided they are otherwise eligible.
- In addition, eligible applicants must have:
- Fewer than 500 employees
- Been in operation or had taken substantial steps toward becoming operational as of March 13, 2020
- Sole Proprietors: For this program, a sole proprietor is defined as an individual who owns an unincorporated business and does not have W-2 employees (filing a Schedule C as a part of federal tax returns is the primary documentation for sole proprietorship). Eligible sole proprietors must have had creative economy income (as documented in tax returns) that comprises at least 30% of total income and was a minimum of $12,000 in 2019.
Special Consideration
Organizations serving and led by members of communities traditionally under-resourced in the arts and humanities are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration. These groups include:
- People of color or indigenous people
- People who identify as LGBTQ+
- People who live in rural areas
- People with disabilities
- People who identify as immigrants or refugees
- People whose first (or only) language is not English
Who may not apply
- Individuals who are not working as sole proprietors
- Businesses owned by persons under age 18
- Businesses that are franchises or chains
- Religious, political, or advocacy organizations
- Government agencies
- Pre-K through Grade 12 schools
- Universities, colleges, and academic departments (arts and cultural organizations that operate under the umbrella of a college or university with 501c3 status may apply)
- Sporting event entities, karaoke, exotic dancing, fitness studios
Criteria
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Severity of Covid-19 Pandemic Harm (as identified in the Final Rule from Treasury: financial insecurity, decreased revenue, increased cost, challenges meeting payroll and other operating costs)
- Community and Cultural Impact (mission, cultural significance, and communities served)
- Economic Impact (role in local economic recovery, ability to retain or rehire jobs, provider of unique products or services, likelihood of post-pandemic resilience)
For more information, visit Creative Futures Grant Program.
