Vermont Arts Council urges state support to stabilize creative economy amid federal uncertainty

Susan Evans McClure, executive director of the Vermont Arts Council, told the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee on Jan. 28 that the council is asking the legislature to secure state matching funds, expand business training for artists, and consider a small investment in film and creative media infrastructure to help stabilize Vermont’s creative economy.

McClure told committee members that federal and pandemic-era relief have been crucial to keeping arts businesses and nonprofits operating. "The legislature awarded $9,000,000 in ARPA funds to the Arts council to distribute to the creative sector in 2022," she said, and added that recipients reported the grants "saved their business" or allowed them to keep serving students and remain open.

The council presented economic data to the panel to explain why it views the arts as part of the state's economic infrastructure. Citing federal data and sector studies, McClure said the arts and culture sector contributes roughly $120,000,000…