Current Grants
Seven Stars has been awarded an Arts Operating Grant for $ 4000 from the Vermont Arts Council (VAC) for the current year and is in process of applying for renewal of this grant.
The grant funds can only be used to cover operating expenses. However, since this funding will cover many of our fixed expenses, we can devote more of our donations and regular income to new initiatives. One goal for the upcoming year is to build a capital improvement fund, which will be used as matching funds for future grant applications.
The grant funds can only be used to cover operating expenses. However, since this funding will cover many of our fixed expenses, we can devote more of our donations and regular income to new initiatives. One goal for the upcoming year is to build a capital improvement fund, which will be used as matching funds for future grant applications.
We are deeply grateful to Mascoma Bank for supporting the Seven Stars All-Comers Jam and Community Fiddle Band. These are free public events to all. Click here for Jam dates. There you can also reach out via e-mail to Emerson Gale for more information.
In June of 2022, Seven Stars Arts Center received a mini-grant of $1000 from BALE, also known as Building a Local Economy, to be dedicated to our scholarship fund which provides financial aid for students who would not otherwise be able to take lessons at Seven Stars. Seven Stars continues initiatives to increase our financial aid resources, to better fulfill our mission to make arts accessible to all. If you would like to make a donation to our scholarship fund, please note this on the online donation form.
Other Grants News
Many thanks to The Vermont Community Foundation for the Arts and Social Cohesion Grant that we received, in the amount of $1360.00 This grant funded the November 2023 Ode to Joy performance and the Spoken Word workshop and performance,
both free events with Alan Haehnel.
both free events with Alan Haehnel.
We also received a grant from a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. Leah Stein led our Community Creative Performance Project and taught Deep Listening Movement techniques. Through this grant we were able to offer a series of free
workshops and a performance in 2023.
workshops and a performance in 2023.
The Vermont Arts Council has been a steadfast supporter of Seven Stars Arts Center.
Some of our recent grants include:
A Creative Futures Grant for $7,500 received in 2023. The Creative Futures program was created by the Vermont Legislature in 2022. The program aims "to provide aid to creative sector organizations, businesses, and sole proprietors that continue to struggle financially due to the
impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."
We thank the Legislature and the Arts Council for this support.
We also wish to thank the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities for their earlier COVID grant support: We received a 2020 VAC COVID Cultural Relief Grant and a 2021 VAC COVID Cultural Recovery Grant. These grants literally helped to keep the doors open during the height of the pandemic and to gradually resume in-person classes and concerts.
Finally, we are deeply grateful to the Vermont Arts Council for the Cultural Facilities grant for their support of our Curtain Restoration Project, and also to the generosity of
folks who helped us match that grant.
Some of our recent grants include:
A Creative Futures Grant for $7,500 received in 2023. The Creative Futures program was created by the Vermont Legislature in 2022. The program aims "to provide aid to creative sector organizations, businesses, and sole proprietors that continue to struggle financially due to the
impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."
We thank the Legislature and the Arts Council for this support.
We also wish to thank the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities for their earlier COVID grant support: We received a 2020 VAC COVID Cultural Relief Grant and a 2021 VAC COVID Cultural Recovery Grant. These grants literally helped to keep the doors open during the height of the pandemic and to gradually resume in-person classes and concerts.
Finally, we are deeply grateful to the Vermont Arts Council for the Cultural Facilities grant for their support of our Curtain Restoration Project, and also to the generosity of
folks who helped us match that grant.
Curtains without Borders
Curtain and Stage Ear Renovation Project
During the week of October 4th, 2021 our historic curtains received their long awaited "face lift"!
Chris Hadsel and Mary Jo Davis of Curtains Without Borders, along with help from Carolyn Frisa arrived to accomplish that restoration. These curtains are an important part of the building's history. We know that they were created by E.O. Kent, sometime between 1913, when the Grange bought the building and made renovations, including adding the stage, and 1930 when they burned the mortgage! A chronicle of that event mentions all the improvements made to
the old church building, including the curtains.
We are looking for information about the person who signed the main curtain, “E.O. Kent.”
Could it be Elbert O. Kent of Royalton?
We had great help from a number of volunteers assisting during the renovation work.
We could not have done it without all of you! Thank you!
Chris Hadsel and Mary Jo Davis of Curtains Without Borders, along with help from Carolyn Frisa arrived to accomplish that restoration. These curtains are an important part of the building's history. We know that they were created by E.O. Kent, sometime between 1913, when the Grange bought the building and made renovations, including adding the stage, and 1930 when they burned the mortgage! A chronicle of that event mentions all the improvements made to
the old church building, including the curtains.
We are looking for information about the person who signed the main curtain, “E.O. Kent.”
Could it be Elbert O. Kent of Royalton?
We had great help from a number of volunteers assisting during the renovation work.
We could not have done it without all of you! Thank you!
In May of 2021 we received a matching grant 0f $4765 from the 1772 Foundation in cooperation with the Preservation Trust of Vermont. This amount was originally intended to cover half the cost of dealing with moisture issues along the foundation of our wonderful, old building.
However, as that work involved abutting Town of Sharon properties,
there have been a number of delays.
In November 2023, the Preservation Trust of Vermont allowed us to use this grant to make a very necessary repair to the leaky roof at the back of our building. This was especially critical
to maintain the integrity of the recently restored, historic curtains at the back wall of our stage.
When we are again able to move forward with the drainage project, the grounds around the building will be regraded, and buried drains and impermeable membranes will
be installed, to redirect water away from the building.
We will be applying for additional grant funding in the coming year to continue this project.
PTV and other similar grants will require 50% grant match funding and we are building a designated Match Fund for capital improvements in support of this work.
Thanks so much for considering donating to make these vital structural repairs.
However, as that work involved abutting Town of Sharon properties,
there have been a number of delays.
In November 2023, the Preservation Trust of Vermont allowed us to use this grant to make a very necessary repair to the leaky roof at the back of our building. This was especially critical
to maintain the integrity of the recently restored, historic curtains at the back wall of our stage.
When we are again able to move forward with the drainage project, the grounds around the building will be regraded, and buried drains and impermeable membranes will
be installed, to redirect water away from the building.
We will be applying for additional grant funding in the coming year to continue this project.
PTV and other similar grants will require 50% grant match funding and we are building a designated Match Fund for capital improvements in support of this work.
Thanks so much for considering donating to make these vital structural repairs.
OUR MISSION IS TO NURTURE A LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARTS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES AND PERFORMANCES.
Seven Stars Arts Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit serving East Central Vermont and beyond.
