Vermont Arts Council : Creative Aging Grant Funding Opportunity

Vermont

The Vermont Arts Council is the official state arts agency of Vermont and the primary public funder of arts and cultural programming throughout the state. The Council supports artists, arts organizations, schools, municipalities, and community groups through grants, education initiatives, public art programs, and creative aging efforts.

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The Vermont Arts Council's Creative Aging Grants program funds arts-based programs that promote healthy aging, social connection, lifelong learning, and well-being among older adults. Projects must provide sustained, skill-building arts instruction led by experienced teaching artists and are designed to improve health, wellness, cognitive engagement, and community participation for adults age 60 and older.

Who Can Apply?

Vermont-based nonprofit organizations
Municipalities
Educational institutions and community organizations serving older adults
Partnerships involving teaching artists, aging-service organizations, community centers, libraries, museums, and cultural organizations

Funding Amount

Up to $6,000 per project
Average award approximately $4,000

Eligible Activities

Examples include:

Visual arts programs
Creative writing and storytelling
Music instruction
Dance and movement programs
Theater and performance arts
Intergenerational arts projects
Arts programs that address social isolation, wellness, belonging, and lifelong learning among older adults

Previous Awards & Impact

Since launching its Creative Aging Initiative in 2021, the Vermont Arts Council has:

Awarded 64 Creative Aging grants
Distributed more than $253,000 in funding
Supported arts-learning programs for older adults across Vermont
Partnered with aging-service organizations, teaching artists, and community groups to promote health, wellness, and social engagement through the arts

Past funded projects have included creative writing workshops, visual arts classes, music programs, arts-based community-building initiatives, and programs designed to reduce isolation while fostering cognitive and emotional well-being among older adults.

Upcoming Cycle

Status: Currently closed
Expected Reopening: Early August 2026
Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
Award Notifications: Mid-December 2026

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Vermont Arts Council's online grants portal. Applicants must review program guidelines, demonstrate community impact, and outline how their project will provide meaningful arts-learning opportunities for older adults.