AAC fine artists need a major annual exhibit with a large audience more than any other single program.Create new programming
Create an outdoor performing and fine arts center for larger programs
- Vermont Arts Festival, a new state-wide performance and fine arts weekend show in Franklin County
- Hold regular, small, indoor art shows and exhibits in a central Franklin County location
- Town Hall Tour: Travel those small, indoor art shows and exhibits to remote Franklin County locations
- Produce a CD of Franklin County musicians and artists
- Vermont Singer-Songwriter Festival, another new state-wide gala with workshops, jam sessions, and concert in Franklin County
Finish the Artist Register with artist and data editor, web page, calendar, and advertising
Continue current programming
- Art and Garden show
- Franklin County Crafts and Fine Arts Tour
- Summer Sounds concerts
- Monthly CoffeeHouse/networking meetings
- Provide publicity and technical assistance to other arts groups such as area theater companies, the Green Mountain Wind Ensemble, the Opera House at Enosburg Falls, St Albans CAN!,
- Rotating exhibit in the Highgate Springs Welcome Center
- Travelling Storyteller.
- Vermont Dairy Festival concerts
- Vermont Maple Festival exhibit and concerts
- Vermont Symphony Orchestra concert
- Vermont Youth Orchestra concert
The "homeless" arts council really, really needs a home. We are taking a two-step approach to finding one:Temporary home (funding required)
Permanent home (major funding and/or endowment required)
- Office space and small gallery workshop space
- We need rental funds (or a gift of space) and a small grant for administrative costs and space expense
- Office space
- Small Gallery/Theater/Workshop space
- Retail or cooperative sales space
- We need acquisition funds (or a gift of space) and an endowment for administrative costs and space expense
Our discussion of exhibit and office space has focussed on the important location question. Do we choose
- A centrally located barn
- A new building at the coming Performing Arts center in Highgate
- A Main Street storefront (St Albans City)
- The Opera House at Enosburg Falls
- A retail location in or near the developing shopping areas
- A side street storefront or building
- The Waugh Opera House (St Albans City)
- Another choice
Click Here to tell us what you think Stabilize income for operating expenses (major funding and/or endowment required)
Develop better organization (low/no cost)
- Increase membership to 200 paid members
- Enroll 15 Franklin County towns for per capita funding
- Create an endowment
- We need Federal (or foundation) grants to seed new programs such as space acquisition and startup costs for the Arts Festivals
Develop a permanent, outdoor performing and fine arts space (potentially no cost)
- Need student intern/E.D. for volunteer, office, and program coordination
- Need rainmaker for current operations plus a significant endowment.
- Need membership coordination
Acquire simple equipment for traveling shows (moderate cost)
- Highgate is negotiating with Vermont to assume ownership of the current Field Days site at Franklin County airport.
Improve arts promotion (funding required)
- Utility trailer
- Free standing, folding displays and canopies for outdoor events
Strengthen "no-cost" partnerships (low/no cost)
- Advertising budget for "unfunded" programs and brand advertising
- Continue newspaper columns, newsletter, telephone calling chain, web site
- Expand library links
- Town bulletin boards?
- Work with regional non-profits such as Chambers of Commerce, churches, municipalities, PTAs, etc.
- Coordinate with Northern LAAs/presenters: Catamount, Cambridge Arts Council, Island Arts, Opera House at Enosburg Falls, St Albans CAN!
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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