The Vermont Arts Council is offering a funding opportunity to communities poised to integrate works of public art into upcoming infrastructure projects.
Donor Name: Vermont Arts Council
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/08/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Council seeks proposals for projects that provide opportunities for artists to engage with the community in the design and/or fabrication of permanent or temporary public art for an interior or exterior site that is accessible to the public.
The Animating Infrastructure program is designed to foster partnerships between communities and artists. The intent is to enhance a sense of community pride and identity, foster social connections, and improve the livability and vibrancy of Vermont communities, downtowns, villages, and neighborhoods. Through the development and installation of site-specific works of public art, Vermont communities can reflect their vision, values, and creative spirit.
For this program’s purpose, the Arts Council’s definition of infrastructure is broad and includes community facilities and services such as buildings, trails, water or sewer systems, roads, power systems, parks, and more. Functional components of infrastructure such as sidewalks, railings, benches, walls, signs, stairs, tree grates, fences, water fountains, and more in the built and/or natural environment have the potential for artistic enhancement that creates unique places where people want to live, work, visit, and play.
Funding Information
Grants will range from $1,000 to $15,000. Up to $5,000 will be awarded for design grants and up to $15,000 will be awarded for implementation grants.
Project Period
- September 1, 2024: projects begin
- August 31, 2025: projects completed
Eligible Activities
Animating Infrastructure provides communities with funds to engage and work with an artist. Funds will be awarded for:
- Public Art Design ($5,000 maximum)
- Grant funds may be used to conduct a process to select an artist(s) or to work with an already identified artist for your public art project.
- Public Arts Implementation ($15,000 maximum)
- Grant funds may be used to support an artist in the fabrication and installation of public art for a previously designed project.
All eligible project proposals are welcome. The Council is especially interested in:
- projects where art is integrated into functional components of the infrastructure
- projects in their early planning
- projects that foster connections among people with diverse financial, educational, health, employment, or social resources; people from diverse abilities, races, cultures, genders, and/or ages
Eligibility Criteria
Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and municipalities are eligible to apply. Community groups without tax-exempt status may apply using a fiscal agent. A fiscal agent must be a charitable nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in Vermont. All applicants (or the fiscal agent) must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from the federal government. Proposals from Vermont designated downtowns, village centers, or neighborhood development areas are encouraged. Applicants should have strong, supportive community leadership in place to give the project high potential for being completed successfully.
For more information, visit Vermont Arts Council.
