BCA Launches Verge Artist Fund for Northwestern Vermont Artists
Burlington City Arts Launches Verge Artist Fund Supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation
Independent artists and informal creative organizers across northwestern Vermont can soon apply for new grants ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 to fund experimental, public-facing projects. Burlington City Arts announced the establishment of the Verge Artist Fund, backed by support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program, with a total annual granting pool of $60,000.
The program aims to support between 10 and 15 projects in its inaugural year across Chittenden, Addison, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties. Applicants must reside in one of these four counties, be at least 18 years old, and maintain a documented track record of creating artwork.
The funding specifically targets creative initiatives operating outside traditional gallery settings and institutional structures. Eligible projects may take place in temporary spaces, community gathering places, libraries, studios, publications, or digital platforms, provided they incorporate a public engagement component during the project period.
Expanding Contemporary Art Outside Traditional Venues
The initiative prioritizes artist-led work that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and expands contemporary art definitions in the region. While projects must remain rooted in visual arts, the grant welcomes approaches involving performance, film, publishing, social practice, technology, installation, sound, and community-based collaboration.
Grant money can cover artist fees, project supplies, production costs, equipment rentals, professional services, event insurance, and marketing. Formal organizations, students currently enrolled in degree programs, and youth under 18 remain ineligible to apply.
According to Doreen Kraft, Burlington City Arts Executive Director, the organization has spent over 45 years supporting artists as crucial contributors to community life and championing contemporary art as a vital medium for imagination, shared dialogue, and reflection.
Kraft noted that the Verge Artist Fund extends this mission by offering creators a fresh avenue to explore bold concepts, embrace creative experimentation, and produce innovative art away from conventional gallery spaces.
Funding Applications Open January 8 and Close April 16
Applications for the inaugural funding cycle open on January 8, 2027. Burlington City Arts will host a series of in-person and Zoom information sessions throughout January, February, and March 2027 to guide prospective applicants through the submission process.
The application window closes on April 16, 2027. A three-person review committee will meet on May 14, 2027, to evaluate proposals based on artistic excellence, experimentation, public engagement, and project feasibility. Final contracts and payments are scheduled to be completed by June 15, 2027.