It's a well known fact that the state of Vermont is home to an amazing array of talented artists, craftspeople, and musicians (Eulipians as the late Rahsan Roland Kirk would call them). The Arts are alive and thriving in this northern New England state. An opportunity to support the arts (and artists) exists in virtually every Vermont community. It's a fine time to visit a Vermont gallery of gift shop and buy some unique art! The state is also home to dozens of community theatres, art galleries, art organizations, nightclubs, and craft shops.

Vermont offers resources and a quality of life that is very appealing to artists of all disciplines. A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts identified Vermont as having one of the highest number of artists per capita in the country. We spoke with Andrea Stander, Communications Director of the Vermont Arts Council, who so appropriately stated " Vermont IS a state of the arts". That said, Vermont - like most of states - is facing a challenge in regard to financing for art programs. The arts depend a great deal on the support of individual and corporate philanthropy and also on ordinary people choosing to spend their “discretionary” income on things like local theater and concert tickets, museum admissions, and purchasing art. According to Ms. Stander, "Many cultural organizations have reported big drops in their annual fundraising drives and that is forcing them to cut staff, scale back their programs and make other hard choices."

Ms. Stander states further that, “artists and arts organizations are a vibrant part of Vermont’s economy BUT they are facing some daunting challenges. Anyone who values what the arts bring to our lives should consider becoming a member of or volunteering for their local arts organization – and the next time you need to buy a gift – buy ART!”

To this end, we would like to turn your attention to the The Pentangle Council on the Arts in Woodstock, Vermont and the Vermont Stage Company in Burlington. These live performance companies work hard to bring high quality productions to the community. Your patronage in these (and any additional) artistic organizations will ensure the survival of creativity in the Green Mountain State. Educational psychologists agree unanimously that active participation in the arts is integral to the proper development of young people. As such, your patronage will help to ensure the very principles and practices upon which our civilization is built. are facing some daunting challenges. Anyone who values what the arts bring to our lives should consider becoming a member of or volunteering for their local arts organization – and the next time you need to buy a gift – buy ART!”

We would like to turn your attention to the two following live performance companies. Your patronage in these (and any additional) artistic organizations will ensure the survival of creativity in the Green Mountain State. Educational psychologists agree unanimously that active participation in the arts is integral to the proper development of young people. As such, your patronage will help to ensure the very principles and practices upon which our civilization is built.

~Special thanks to Andrea Stander, Communications Director of the Vermont Arts Council