"This historic investment enables business and nonprofits in Vermont's important creative sector to find their footing once again and plan for the future."
That from Susan Evans McClure, executive director of the Vermont Arts Council, in announcing the final round of funding from its Creative Futures Grant program, which has distributed more than $8.8 million to 233 organizations and businesses in the state since December 2022.
The money was awarded to 85 creative sector organizations and businesses, representing all seven segments of the state's creative economy: performing arts; visual arts and crafts; culture and heritage; design; film and media; literary arts and publishing; and specialty foods.
The grants were awarded based on 2019 (pre-pandemic) operating revenue and could be used for any regular operating expenses, including but not limited to, payroll and benefits, utilities, rent, and insurance.
Of the 85 recipients, 38 were nonprofits and 47 were for-profits.
Vermont's creative sector lost millions in revenue and thousands of jobs during the pandemic.
"Though the worst of the crisis may be over, the state's core cultural organizations continue to struggle to make up for lost revenue, reach sometimes hesitant audiences, and invest in new ways to present programmingboth safely indoors and innovatively online," McClure said in
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