The Art of Action: Shaping Vermont's Future Through Art

Vermont philanthropist Lyman Orton is collaborating with the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Council on Rural Development to commission two-dimensional works of art that reflect or respond to issues and challenges facing Vermont. Twenty artists from across the United States will be selected to make a presentation on a topic related to Vermont's future. From these, ten will be selected to develop their concepts. Commissions will range from $10,000 to $40,000 and average $25,000. Selected artists will create two-dimensional works in media of their choosing (oils, acrylics, ink, mixed media, etc.) that reflect topics emerging from the Council on the Future of Vermont's statewide process.

The project aims to raise awareness and inspire citizen action around issues and challenges facing Vermonters, including economic, social, and environmental challenges, demographic pressures, aging population, social and economic divisions, affordable housing needs, and government services. The selection process occurs in three steps: Artist Selection (approximately 20 finalists chosen based on artistic quality, community engagement experience, communication ability, and willingness to engage with Vermont issues); Research & Project Development (finalists receive $2,500 honorarium and attend orientation and conference); and Project Selection (up to ten artists chosen for implementation based on artistic quality, relevance to Vermont issues, community engagement, potential to stimulate action, and clear planning). Artist Finalists will have up to eight months to complete their projects. Orton will retain one piece from each artist; remaining pieces will be offered at a major auction event with proceeds used to seed additional commissioning rounds.

Eligibility: Visual artists who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and at least 18 years of age. Arts Council staff and trustees, Orton-Izzi-Byrne enterprise staff, VCRD staff, and their family members are not eligible. Submission deadline: August 28, 2008. Materials required: nine digital images of previously completed artwork, statement of interest (no more than 4000 characters), and current résumé (one to two pages). All materials must be submitted via CaFÉ online application system. No application fee.