Vermont Creative Aging Grant

The Creative Aging Grants, administered by the Vermont Arts Council, provide targeted support for arts education and community-building projects that engage older adults aged 60 and over. This program aligns with the Council’s mission to promote and sustain the arts throughout Vermont and is informed by a growing recognition of the benefits that creative engagement brings to aging populations. These grants are made possible through combined funding from the State of Vermont and the National Endowment for the Arts, underscoring a public commitment to ensuring accessible, enriching experiences for older adults in various communities. The central objective of the Creative Aging Grants is to fund projects that integrate arts-based skill-building and social interaction among seniors. These projects must feature structured, skill-based instruction led by experienced teaching artists and should foster active, meaningful participation from older adults. Eligible projects include collaborative workshops in visual, literary, and performing arts disciplines, as well as community storytelling initiatives. The Council particularly prioritizes projects involving Vermont-based teaching artists, especially those listed in its Creative Aging Teaching Artist Roster or the Clemmons Family Farm's roster. However, applicants may also work with qualified teaching artists outside these rosters, provided they submit documentation demonstrating the artist’s credentials and experience. Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions located in Vermont are eligible to apply. These include libraries, arts and cultural organizations, senior centers, and social service providers. Applicants are encouraged to partner with teaching artists early in the planning process to define the project scope, timeline, deliverables, materials, and budget. Application requirements include a written proposal, supporting documentation from teaching artists, and a scope-of-work agreement outlining all project components. Applications must be submitted through the Vermont Arts Council’s online grant portal, and a free Unique Entity ID (UEI) is required prior to applying. The grant application process opens in early August 2026 and closes on October 19, 2026. Award notifications will be issued by mid-December 2026, and the grant activity period runs from January 5, 2027, through August 31, 2027. Applicants can expect to receive funding within 60 days of submitting required paperwork. A final report must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the grant period. The application portal requires registration, which takes 1–2 business days to approve, and applicants seeking accessibility accommodations are encouraged to contact the Council in advance. Funding is available up to $6,000 per project, with the average award amount being approximately $4,000. Although teaching artist fees vary, all project budgets must be clearly itemized, and while no matching funds are required, project planning and budget clarity are essential to successful applications. All applications are evaluated based on their alignment with the Council’s creative aging values, the quality and relevance of the teaching artist’s involvement, and the potential for meaningful engagement with older adult participants. Strong proposals will demonstrate thoughtful program design, clear learning outcomes, and intentional strategies for social connection. For further information, prospective applicants are encouraged to schedule a consultation with the grant manager, Troy Hickman, reachable at [email protected] or 802.402.4496. Additional tutorials and guidelines will be released closer to the reopening date. Interested parties are urged to begin planning early, including identifying and securing a qualified teaching artist, to ensure timely and complete submissions once the grant cycle opens.

Include sequential instruction, measurable goals, and strong accessibility/community engagement plans