CHESTER, Vt. – The Vermont Art Council recently announced the 26 recipients of its most competitive grant funding program, the Creation Grant, which supports Vermont artists in creating new work.
Linda Diak, of Chester, was among those awarded a Creation Grant, to support the creation of art quilts that raise awareness of the impact of human activity on the animal kingdom.
More than 300 applications were received for this highly competitive award, with a total of nearly $1.5 million requested in funding. The council was able to support 9% of the requested need, totaling $126,000 in grant funding.
Grants are awarded to Vermont artists or artist groups in amounts up to $5,000. Funding can be used for time spent developing new work, to purchase materials, or to rent equipment or space for the process. The award is only available to artists who have not received a Creation Grant within the last five years.
Recipients were selected in two rounds by independent panels comprised of 47 practicing Vermont artists and arts professionals with a broad range of artistic disciplines. A total of 48 proposals advanced to the second round of review.
Criteria for selection are artistic excellence (60%), impact (25%), and project management (15%).
The Vermont Arts Council’s Creation Grants are made possible through support from private donations, including the Vermont Community Foundation’s Arts Endowment Fund. Thanks to this generous support, the council is able to award more Creation Grants to Vermont artists in fiscal year 2026 than ever before.
“We are thrilled to be able to support these talented Vermont artists in bringing their new work into the world. And we are grateful for the support from private donors that has allowed us to steadily increase the funding available for Vermont artists to create in this special place,” said Vermont Arts Council executive director Susan Evans McClure.
For more information about the Creation Grant program, visit http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/artists/creation.