Vermont Council on the Arts Inc. (also known as Vermont Arts Council) is a government administration agency and public charity based in Montpelier, Vermont. Since its founding in 1965, the organization has served as the state's primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts. The Council offers grants, workshops, professional development opportunities, and arts information services to strengthen Vermont's creative sector.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9M
-48.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
-65.1% YoY
Grant Count
110
-19.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-56.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To advance and preserve the arts at the center of Vermont communities while serving as the state's foremost arts advocate.
The Council's primary focus areas include:
- Community Arts Programs: Grants and services that strengthen Vermont communities through arts and cultural activities, increasing public awareness of the positive role played by artists and arts organizations
- Public Art Programs: Projects integrating art into community infrastructure
- Cultural Facilities: Supporting cultural organizations with upgrades to existing buildings and improvements to make public arts facilities safe, accessible, and welcoming
- Creative Economy Development: Through the Vermont Creative Network (VCN), a coalition formed in 2016 that convenes stakeholder meetings to advance Vermont's creative economy
- Arts Education: Including artists in schools programs and early childhood arts partnerships
- Creative Sector Support: Including pandemic-related creative futures grant programs
Grantmaking
In September 2024, the Vermont Arts Council announced more than $500,000 in grant awards to 86 Vermont organizations, including arts nonprofits, arts schools, museums, makerspaces, libraries, and community art centers. In a recent grant cycle, the Council awarded grants to 131 individuals and 235 organizations across every county in Vermont. Public art programs included 11 animating infrastructure grants, and cultural facilities grants enabled 19 cultural organizations to make critical upgrades.
Review Cycle
, the Council awarded grants to 131 individuals and 235 organizations across every county in Vermont. Public art programs included 11 animating infrastructure grants, and cultural facilities grants enabled 19 cultural organizations to make critical upgrades.
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with Vermont Council on the Arts Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Vermont statewide, with grants awarded to organizations and individuals in every county.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,906,979
- Total Revenues: $4,928,268
- Total Expenses: $4,768,319
- Annual Revenue: $9,769,759
Staffing:
- 14 employees (as of 2024)
- Workforce growth of 4.5% year-over-year
Recent Funding Received:
- Grant of $10,000 in January 2025 (led by Windham Foundation)
- Grant of $10,000 in July 2023 (led by Vermont Community Foundation)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,906,979 | $3,667,819 | $1,668,560 |
| Revenue | $4,928,268 | $9,723,478 | $4,418,731 |
| Expenses | $4,768,319 | $9,531,281 | $4,365,379 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $38,452 | $62,805 | $10,939 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Highland Center for the Arts ($141,500), Mamasezz Foods Inc ($112,500), Mark Lackley Furniture Maker Llc ($112,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALIGN FILM LLC WATERBURY CENTER, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| ART ON MAIN BRISTOL, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| ARTS BUS INC RANDOLPH, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $9,000 |
| BEND REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE GREENSBORO BEND, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $11,875 |
| BRATTLEBORO MUSEUM AND ART CENTER BRATTLEBORO, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| BRATTLEBORO MUSIC CENTER BRATTLEBORO, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $9,000 |
| BRICKHOUSE STUDIOS INC ESSEX JUNCTION, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| BURLINGTON CITY ARTS BURLINGTON, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $11,500 |
| BUTTERFLY BAKERY OF VERMONT BARRE, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $65,000 |
| CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY MEDIA MONTPELIER, VT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Susan Evans McClure: Executive Director
- Karen Mittelman: Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK FOLEY | BOARD CHAIR (START 02/24) | 1 | — |
| REBECCA MCMEEKIN | BOARD CHAIR (END 02/24) | 1 | — |
| GREGORY SARGENT | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SABRINA BROWN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN PITE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SEAN CLUTE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILL KASSO CONDRY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHARON FANTL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRIAN MURPHY | TRUSTEE (START FY24) | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN STINEHOUR | TRUSTEE (START FY24) | 1 | — |
| ROBIN PERLAH | TRUSTEE (START FY24) | 1 | — |
| GREG PAUS | TRUSTEE (END FY24) | 1 | — |
| TONY PIETRICOLA | TRUSTEE (END FY24) | 1 | — |
| GREG CUTLER | TRUSTEE (END FY24) | 1 | — |
| HOLLY GROSCHNER | TRUSTEE (END FY24) | 1 | — |
| SUSAN EVANS MCCLURE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $70,841 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In September 2024, the Vermont Arts Council announced grants totaling more than $500,000 to 86 Vermont organizations through its Arts Operating and Arts Project grant programs. The awards supported organizations ranging from arts nonprofits to arts schools, museums, makerspaces, libraries, and community art centers. Notable recipients included the Sustainability Academy in Burlington, which received an Arts Project grant to support research, artwork, installation, and a public event showcasing connections between the Vermont dairy industry and students and families.
Vermont Arts Council Announces Grants to 86 OrganizationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc fund?
**Mission:** To advance and preserve the arts at the center of Vermont communities while serving as the state's foremost arts advocate. The Council's primary focus areas include: • **Community Arts Programs:** Grants and services that strengthen Vermont communities through arts and cultural activities, increasing public awareness of the positive role played by artists and arts organizations • **Public Art Programs:** Projects integrating art into community infrastructure • **Cultural Facilities…
How do I apply for a grant from Vermont Council on the Arts Inc?
**Grant Types & Sizes:** • Typical awards range from $5,000 to $219,400 • Arts Operating Grants provide unrestricted, general operating funds to arts organizations offering year-round, high-quality programs and services • Arts Project Grants support specific arts projects that bring people together • Animating Infrastructure Grants support projects integrating art into community infrastructure • Cultural Facilities Grants enable critical upgrades to existing buildings and public arts facilities…
Where does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc make grants?
Vermont statewide, with grants awarded to organizations and individuals in every county.
What size grants does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc award?
In 2024, Vermont Council on the Arts Inc awarded 110 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's EIN?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0218115. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
National Life Group Charitable
MONTPELIER, VT
Assets
$27.4M
Grants
757
Total Given
$2.7M
The Vermont Community Foundation
MIDDLEBURY, VT
Assets
$370.6M
Grants
728
Total Given
$46.3M
Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
448
Total Given
$4.2M
The Windham Foundation Inc
GRAFTON, VT
Assets
$20.5M
Grants
136
Total Given
$409K
Alchemist Foundation Inc
WATERBURY, VT
Assets
$65K
Grants
115
Total Given
$129K
World Learning Inc
BRATTLEBORO, VT
Assets
$67.2M
Grants
113
Total Given
$7.3M
Carris Corporation Foundation
PROCTOR, VT
Assets
$54K
Grants
104
Total Given
$444K
Vermont Foodbank
BARRE, VT
Assets
$34.9M
Grants
100
Total Given
$1.8M
Lintilhac Foundation Inc
SHELBURNE, VT
Assets
$25.6M
Grants
96
Total Given
$1.2M
George W Mergens Foundation
MILTON, VT
Assets
$16.3M
Grants
95
Total Given
$1.0M
Oakland Foundation Inc
STOWE, VT
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
72
Total Given
$233K
The Rauch Foundation Inc
WOODSTOCK, VT
Assets
$37.1M
Grants
71
Total Given
$1.2M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Vermont Council on the Arts Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Vermont Council on the Arts Inc to a real strategy.