Vermont Business Magazine An acoustic stone wall at a public amphitheater in Killington, a mural by a local Abenaki artist at the Retreat Farm in Brattleboro, and plans from the locally owned electric utility in the Town of Stowe to engage a stone mason to re-envision public access are among the projects recently awarded Animating Infrastructure grants from the Vermont Arts Council.
Strengthening the connection between people and place, these award-winning public art projects promise to bring vibrancy and vitality to their communities. From conception and design to implementation and programming, creative placemaking has been shown to foster social connectedness, improve livability, and enhance a sense of community pride and identity.
The Animating Infrastructure grant program supports projects in which public art is integrated into existing or proposed infrastructure improvement projects. As communities envision new buildings, roads, bridges, and other public spaces, they are encouraged to think beyond the ordinary and consider projects that have the potential for artistic enhancement, creating unique places where people want to live, work, visit, and play.
The Council received 20 letters of interest with project pitches for communities across Vermont. After initial review of the submissions by an external panel of reviewers, fourteen finalists were invited to develop full proposals for funding consideration.
Grants of up to $15,000 were available for implementation projects and up to $5,000 for design projects. At least 80% of grant funds must be used to support the artists’ involvement in the design, fabrication, or installation of the artwork. The remaining amount can be used to support the other aspects of the project, such as project management and community engagement activities.
“Incorporating public art into infrastructure improvements offers many cultural, social, and economic benefits to a community. We are proud to support these 11 inspiring projects, which demonstrate the power of art and creativity in humanizing our public places,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure.
Established in 2014, the program has supported 40 projects in 31 towns and 12 counties in Vermont.
The following design grants were awarded:
- Bennington Museum: $4,125 to design a mural for the museum’s south side wall facing the popular Wildflower Trail
- Capstone Community Action, Barre: $5,000 to design a mural inspired by children’s literature on the retaining wall at the Brook Street School
- Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury: $5,000 to design artful wraps for Rural Community Transportation buses with colorful designs featuring original artwork by Vermont artists
- Friends of Champlain Street Park, Burlington: $5,000 to support the development of a community mural design led by artist Maddie Hersam for the building bordering Champlain Street Park
- Friends of Ferrisburgh: $4,000 to design a contemporary art sculpture by artists Keith Wagner for the Ferrisburgh Town Green in front of the historic Union Meeting Hall
- Retreat Farm, Brattleboro: $5,000 to design a mural for the former grain bunker at the Retreat Farm that highlights the voice and work of local Abenaki artist Charlie Adams
- Town of Stowe Electric Department: $5,000 to support a stone artist in the design of river steps, portage, and a riverside viewing point for public access to the Little River
- Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District, Brattleboro: $5,000 to design a storm drain mural in the heart of downtown Brattleboro to educate the public about the importance of keeping storm drains clean
The following implementation grants were awarded:
- Bend Revitalization Initiative, Greensboro: $11,875 to create a large community-drawn mural with artist Tara Goreau adjacent to the new rail trail in Greensboro
- Mission Farm, Killington: $15,000 to create a stone amphitheater stage area with an artful acoustic stone wall by artisan Dan Snow
- Newport City Renaissance Corporation: $15,000 to support a collaboration with art students at North Country Union High School to install sculptures that highlight outdoor recreation and build community in downtown Newport
Applications for FY25 funding will open in the winter of 2024. For more information about the Animating Infrastructure Program, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/organizations/animating-infrastructure.
About the Vermont Arts Council
The Vermont Arts Council envisions a Vermont where all people have access to the arts and creativity in their lives, education, and communities. Engagement with the arts transforms individuals, connects us more deeply to each other, energizes the economy, and sustains the vibrant cultural landscape that makes Vermont a great place to live. Since 1965, the Council has been the state's primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts in Vermont. Learn more at www.vermontartscouncil.org
Source: MONTPELIER, VT—Vermont Arts Council
