Arts and history groups tell committee federal uncertainty threatens programs, request state support

Leaders of Vermont cultural and historical organizations told the House of Dilipatians Committee on Feb. 15 that recent federal funding uncertainty is creating operational and planning challenges and urged continued state support.

“Vermont Humanities is about 42% federally funded right now,” Christopher Kaufman, executive director of Vermont Humanities, told the committee, noting the organization is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. Kaufman said the NEH had informed the organization it expects an award of $1,071,800 this year and that the state match requirement would be the same amount; the governor’s budget includes $1,003,000 toward that match.

Representatives of the Vermont Arts Council described disaster resilience and emergency-preparedness work the council leads with partners. The Arts Council co-leads VACDARN, the Vermont Arts and Culture Disaster and Resiliency Network, which provides training and mutual-assistance coordination for artists and cultural organizations during emergencies.

Elise Brunell, executive director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, described the orchestra’s statewide educational and performance activities and financial profile. “We are the only statewide orchestra and chorus that, operates year round,” Brunell said, adding that the orchestra runs roughly 40 concerts and about 50 educational events each year, reaching about 20,000 people. She said the orchestra’s endowment is just shy of $6,000,000; the organization’s policy target is a 4% endowment draw but the group has drawn as much as 7% during recent years of revenue shortfalls. Brunell said box-office receipts have improved but corporate sponsorships and donations are declining.

Stephen Perkins, executive director of the Vermont Historical Society, asked the committee to note statutory constraints that affect his organization’s budgets. He told the committee the society’s employees “have to be treated as if they were state employees” and must participate in the state pension system, per statutes in chapter 22; those obligations affect personnel and benefit costs. Perkins also noted the society recently opened a Research and Exhibition Gallery in Barre and said the governor’s budget recommends a 5.9% increase in the society’s appropriation.

Committee members asked about shifting corporate sponsorship patterns, the reach of cultural economic impact, and how organizations would adjust if federal awards were reduced. Kaufman said the council and humanities group are tracking federal guidance and working with partners to determine options if federal awards change; Brunell said the orchestra has increased earned income but faces reductions in corporate support; Perkins said the historical society’s budget pressures are driven mainly by personnel cost obligations under state statute.

Representatives from each organization said they are pursuing diversified revenue — including federal, state, foundation and earned income — but asked the legislature to consider preserving or increasing state support to protect programs that serve schools, artists, and communities across Vermont.