Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc., known as the Vermont Arts Council, is a public charity based in Montpelier, Vermont. The Council is Vermont’s designated arts agency and the state’s primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts. It supports artists, arts organizations, arts education, and community arts activity through grants and other services.
Key facts about Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
In short: Vermont Council on the Arts Inc gave $893K across 64 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in Vermont. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 03-0218115
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $892,545
- Grants made (2025)
- 64
- Average grant
- $13,946
- Median grant
- $11,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (14 of 64, 2025)
- Total assets
- $2,037,292
- Primary geography
- Vermont (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit an application through the Council’s online grants management system. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$893K
-65.9% YoY
Grant Count
64
-41.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-41.3% YoY
Is Vermont Council on the Arts Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 64 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $11K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Council’s stated mission is “to cultivate and advance the arts and creativity throughout Vermont.” Its work includes grants for organizations and individual artists, arts education, public art, and community-based arts projects, along with research, advocacy, professional development, and networking.
For organizations, the Council offers support for general operations, arts projects, cultural facilities, early childhood arts partnerships, and creative aging. Its 2025–2030 priorities include supporting artists, increasing access to arts education, and strengthening the creative economy.
The 2024 filing describes community arts programs serving individuals and organizations across Vermont, arts education grants and services, and support for artists’ professional development and creative projects. In that filing, the Council reported awarding grants to 85 individuals and 201 organizations in every county and 100 towns across Vermont.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. The Barre Opera House says its mission is to preserve and operate its historic venue as a performing arts center for central Vermont. The Shelburne Craft School describes its mission as inspiring creativity through hands-on craft and art education. The Bennington Museum says it collects, exhibits, and interprets Vermont and northern New England art, history, and culture.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Council reported 64 grants totaling $892,545. Grants ranged from $5,600 to $43,500, with a median award of $11,000. The largest listed awards included $43,500 to Vermont Folklife Center; $28,549 to Catamount Film and Arts Center; $28,500 each to Barre Opera House and Maquam Bay of Missisquoi; and $26,098 to Shelburne Craft School. The listed purposes for these grants were “general purpose.”
The Council’s website describes Arts Project Grants as support for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools undertaking projects that expand access to the arts. The program listing gives an award range of $1,000–$5,000. Creative Aging Grants support skill-based arts instruction and social engagement for adults aged 60 and older; eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and awards are up to $6,000. The website also lists Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants of up to $6,000, but the described January–August 2025 activity period is past.
Applications are submitted through the Council’s online grants management systems. The Council says applications must be complete and eligible and submitted on time; its review criteria for organizations and community projects include service to the organization’s community or constituency, potential impact on artists and the artistic field, and the feasibility and clarity of the project plan.
How to Apply
Submit an application through the Council’s online grants management system.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants (Formerly Head Start Arts Integration)
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
Amount
Up to US $6,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
VAC: Creative Aging Grants
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
Amount
Up to US $6,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Vermont Arts Council: Artists in Schools Grant
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
Amount
Up to US $4,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Vermont Council on the Arts Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Council’s work is statewide. Its 2024 filing reports grants to individuals and organizations in every Vermont county, and all 2025 itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $409K (2021) to $7.5M (2023). In 2025 it made 64 grants totaling $893K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vermont Folklife Center ($44K). Together the top 10 received $269K.
Grant Size Distribution
479 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 417 grants of 479 (87%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Folklife Center Middlebury, VT | General Purpose | $43,500 |
| Catamount Film and Arts Center St Johnsbury, VT | General Purpose | $28,549 |
| Barre Opera House Barre, VT | General Purpose | $28,500 |
| Maquam Bay of Missisquoi Swanton, VT | General Purpose | $28,500 |
| Shelburne Craft School Shelburne, VT | General Purpose | $26,098 |
| Okemo Valley TV Ludlow, VT | General Purpose | $24,000 |
| Oldcastle Productions Inc Bennington, VT | General Purpose | $24,000 |
| Birds of Vermont Museum Inc Huntington, VT | General Purpose | $23,750 |
| Standrew's Church St Johnsbury, VT | General Purpose | $21,404 |
| Rutland Area Arts Association Rutland, VT | General Purpose | $20,800 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,037,292 | $3,168,915 | $3,010,985 | $892,545 |
| 2024 | $1,906,979 | $4,928,268 | $4,768,319 | $2,613,883 |
| 2023 | $3,667,819 | $9,723,478 | $9,531,281 | $7,488,342 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,037,292 | $1,906,979 | $3,667,819 |
| Revenue | $3,168,915 | $4,928,268 | $9,723,478 |
| Expenses | $3,010,985 | $4,768,319 | $9,531,281 |
| Net Investment Income | $26,488 | $38,452 | $62,805 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 10, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Foley as board chair, Gregory Sargent as treasurer, and Sabrina Brown as secretary. Listed trustees are Stephen Pite, Sean Clute, Will Kasso Condry, Sharon Fantl, Brian Murphy, Stephen Stinehour, and Robin Perlah.
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc is led by Susan Evans McClure, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Susan Evans McClure
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$71K (2024) → $114K (2025)
Mark Foley
Board Chair
Trustee → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Pite
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Clute
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Fantl
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Kasso Condry
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Murphy
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Perlah
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Stinehour
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Brown
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Sargent
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Greg Cutler (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Greg Paus (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Rebecca McMeekin (2019–2024) — Board Chair
- Former: Tony Pietricola (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Holly Groschner (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Ed Clark (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Karen Mittelman (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Emily Bernard (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Cunningham (2023) — Interim Executive Director
- Former: Gail Nunziata (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Nick Sherman (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Stannard (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Edmond Strainchamps (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jo Sabel Courtney (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Major Jackson (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Nicole Nelson (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Reeve Lindbergh (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Yasmin Tayeby (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Greg Sargent (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $114K, to Susan Evans McClure (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 136 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633
Phone: (802) 828-3291
Website: https://vermontartscouncil.org
Frequently asked questions about Vermont Council on the Arts Inc
How much does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc give each year?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc gave $893K across 64 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 110 grants.
What is Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's typical grant size?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's median grant in 2025 was $11,000, and its average grant was $13,946, across 64 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Vermont Council on the Arts Inc that year got $15K on average.
Where does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc give grants?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc gives mostly in Vermont: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (7 grants), Brattleboro, VT (5 grants), Middlebury, VT (4 grants) and Putney, VT (4 grants).
Does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (64 of 64) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's largest grantees?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Vermont Folklife Center ($43,500), Catamount Film and Arts Center ($28,549) and Barre Opera House ($28,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vermont Council on the Arts Inc?
Vermont Council on the Arts Inc reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What does Vermont Council on the Arts Inc fund?
The Council’s stated mission is “to cultivate and advance the arts and creativity throughout Vermont.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vermont Council on the Arts Inc?
Submit an application through the Council’s online grants management system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Vermont Council on the Arts Inc by hand.
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