Creation Grants

The Creation Grants program, administered by the Vermont Arts Council, is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support Vermont-based artists and artist groups in the creation of new artistic work. The fund reflects the Council’s mission to foster a thriving arts ecosystem across the state by enabling creators at various stages of their careers to focus on the development of original works. This initiative is grounded in the belief that the arts play a crucial role in community engagement, cultural expression, and economic development. Accordingly, the program seeks to empower artists by providing direct financial support to offset the material and logistical costs associated with creative production. The grants are open to both individual artists and artist collectives residing in Vermont. Applicants must have maintained legal residency in the state for at least one year prior to the application deadline and must continue to reside in Vermont when the award is issued. Eligible applicants must be practicing artists, defined as individuals who intentionally and regularly engage in artistic practices and who devote significant time to their creative work, within the constraints of their financial situation. Accepted disciplines include, but are not limited to, visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, crafts, media, design, and multidisciplinary arts. Groups must designate a lead applicant who meets all individual eligibility requirements. Importantly, those who received a Creation Grant in the previous fiscal year (FY2026), nonprofit organizations, and projects associated with academic credit are not eligible to apply. Creation Grant funds may be used for a wide array of activities directly associated with producing new work. These include compensating artists for time spent researching and creating, purchasing materials or equipment, renting workspaces, or hiring professionals for services such as editing or sound mastering. Additionally, costs associated with accessibility—such as ASL interpreters, captioning, or large-print materials—are allowable. However, the grant does not cover costs related to public presentations of the finished work, such as exhibitions or performances. This restriction ensures that funding remains squarely focused on the creation phase. Award amounts are standardized at $5,000 for individual artists and groups. In response to the unique challenges faced by performing arts groups—including higher technical costs and collaborative demands—an expanded opportunity is available: up to five grants of $10,000 will be awarded to dance, theater, or multidisciplinary performance groups. This expansion was made possible by increased private funding and is intended to strengthen collaborative creative efforts that involve complex production logistics and team-based artistic creation. Applications are submitted via the Council’s SlideRoom portal. Prospective applicants are expected to thoroughly review the guidelines, preview the application, and complete a budget worksheet. Application components include work samples, a description of the proposed work, and, if applicable, identification of collaborators. The Council strongly encourages artists to schedule calls with the program contact to clarify application details and improve submission quality. The review process is conducted by an independent panel of artists and arts professionals who evaluate applications based on artistic excellence (60%), project management (15%), and potential impact (25%). The artistic evaluation emphasizes craft, aesthetics, authenticity, and cultural sensitivity. Project management is assessed through the clarity of the timeline, the feasibility of the budget, and the qualifications of any collaborators. Impact refers to the work’s ability to present a unique perspective and its potential for public engagement. The deadline to apply is April 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by late August 2026, with the grant performance period spanning from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027. Awardees are required to sign a contract, submit tax documentation, and provide a final report within 30 days of the project’s conclusion. Questions related to the grant may be directed to Dominique Gustin, the designated program contact. Additional technical assistance is available from Meredith Bell. The grant program operates under a nondiscrimination policy, and projects involving public participation must be physically and programmatically accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Focus on strong work samples, clearly defined project plans, and unique perspectives.