FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Martha Fitch, Director
[email protected]
(802) 223-3380/(802) 498-8454
http://www.vermontcrafts.com
Vermont Crafts Council Receives Tourism Grant to promote the
30th Anniversary of Open Studio Weekend
The Vermont Crafts Council, a non-profit visual arts organization, was recently awarded a $24,145 Tourism & Economic Recovery Marketing Grant from the Vermont Department of Economic Development. The grant will be used to promote the 30th Anniversary of the Spring Open Studio Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend.
These Regional Tourism Marketing Grant Awards are for organizations whose efforts and activities are related to economic recovery, consumer stimulus, marketing, or tourism related projects to support businesses that have suffered economic harm due to the pandemic. They are intended to enable local, regional, or statewide organizations to implement campaigns and initiatives that will increase consumer spending, support local businesses, and advance community recovery efforts.
The approved marketing plan submitted by The Vermont Crafts Council includes significantly added promotion to out of state residents through new advertising that encourages visits to artist’s studios and small galleries throughout the state. New ad buys will target Visit New England, Yankee Magazine, the Boston Globe and social media campaigns.
The Vermont Crafts Council expects that an enhanced marketing campaign to draw attention from around the region to the arts business sector of studios and working artists and it will benefit hospitality and tourism businesses in locales where a cluster of studios is located, and boost purchases of locally made goods.
Strengthening the arts results in economic benefits for other sectors in Vermont. The value of the visual arts sector in Vermont is described in a study by Ken Jones from 2015 for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “More than $200 million of economic activity that is the direct result of the sale of visual arts products. That $200 million is also income representing 1.5% of the more general economic activity in the state. In addition to the direct impacts represented by Vermont visual arts, the relative concentration of those activities in Vermont provides an important part of the Vermont brand. The decision to visit Vermont and ultimately to make Vermont home is based on the total of experiences that are available. Certainly jobs, good education, the beautiful scenery and healthy communities make Vermont attractive, and the visible presence of arts in each of Vermont’s towns contributes to the attractiveness of the state.”
Open Studio Weekend, May 28 & 29, is a statewide celebration of the visual arts and creative process, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to meet a variety of artists and craftspeople in their studios, some of whom are only open to the public during this event. Those who experience Open Studio gain an appreciation for the creative process and the role that artists and craftspeople play in the vitality of Vermont’s communities. Participating small galleries and art centers show the work of local artists.
This spring Open Studio Weekend, will take place from Readsboro to Fairfield and from Castleton to White River in studios and small galleries across the state.
Information, pictures, and directions are available on the Vermont Crafts Council website, vermontcrafts.com, where you can also order a printed map booklet.
The event is free and open to the public.
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