Vermont Artist Development Grants

The Vermont Arts Council’s Artist Development Grant for FY2026 is designed to support artists in Vermont at all stages of their careers by funding activities that strengthen artistic skills, advance professional development, or support the creation of new work when tied to rare and important opportunities. This program offers awards of up to $2,000, encouraging applicants to request the minimum necessary amount in order to allow broad support for as many artists as possible. Funding may cover advanced study with a mentor, attendance at professional conferences or residencies, contracting professional services, creating marketing materials, developing online sales platforms, purchasing materials or equipment valued under $5,000, or renting studio space outside the home to create exhibitions or performances. Applicants must be individual artists or artist groups based in Vermont. Individual applicants must have been residents for at least one year before the deadline, remain residents when the award is granted, be at least eighteen years old, have submitted all required reports for prior grants, and be practicing artists working in disciplines such as visual arts, crafts, performing arts, literary arts, media and design arts, or multidisciplinary arts. Groups must designate one member who meets these requirements as their representative. Residency is defined by Vermont being the applicant’s primary legal residence for most of the year and is supported by documentation such as state tax filings, vehicle registration, or voter registration. Artists ineligible to apply include those whose projects are for academic credit, recipients of a Creation Grant in the same fiscal year (September 2025 to June 2026), recipients of an Artist Development Grant between September 2024 and June 2025, and artists with outstanding reports for any Vermont Arts Council grant. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible. Additionally, the program does not fund academic tuition, lobbying expenses, fundraising events, or events inconsistent with the Council’s access and nondiscrimination policy. Applications are accepted online, with deadlines on September 7, 2025, and January 25, 2026. Funded activities must begin after September 1, 2025, and be completed by August 31, 2026. Notifications are typically issued within three weeks of each deadline. Applicants needing accommodations or alternate formats should contact the program manager at least three weeks before the deadline. The selection process involves random drawing of applications, allocation of awards to ensure proportional representation of Vermont’s Creative Regions, and prioritization of unique opportunities or urgent needs. Final selections undergo eligibility review and require approval from the Vermont Arts Council’s executive director. The Vermont Arts Council maintains a strict nondiscrimination policy prohibiting bias based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories. Recipients of federal or state funds must comply with applicable accessibility laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions about the Artist Development Grant should be directed to Dominique Gustin at 802.402.4602 or dgustin@vermontartscouncil.org. For technical issues with the online application, contact Meredith Bell at 802.402.4478. Detailed guidelines, application previews, and examples of past funded projects are available on the Council’s website.