Grantees

TAP is a theatre arts program that serves 40 youth and adults with cognitive, social and physical disabilities along with 4-5 non-disabled peers. Year-round theatre skill-based activities enhance communications, self-expression and self-esteem.

Very Merry Theatre is expanding programming and attracting new participants in the areas of costume design and set design. Historically, Very Merry Theatre programs have focused on the performance side of theatre where children meet weekly to learn story-telling and performance skills culminating in a theatrical production. We aim to expand our offerings to include programming in other creative arts associated with theatrical productions. Specifically we want to offer classes in costume design and set design which would enable interested participants to showcase their creative ideas and learn new skills in the technical arts related to a theatrical production. We also hope this may attract new participants.

Very Merry Theatre is establishing a teen youth council to engage in the following diversity and equity activities: a.) Gather feedback from youth in our community about new programming interests with an eye on multi-cultural offerings and organize and sponsor at least three new workshops or events in response to that feedback; b.) Facilitate conversations with youth in the community and community partners to explore ways that VMT can further our commitment to creating a safe space that is anti-racist, inclusive of youth with disabilities and honors gender identity and expression.

The VMT Voices program enriches education for underserved youth in the Burlington community by improving access to arts education through an enhanced scholarship program & through the design and building a sustainable infrastructure to cultivate a truly representative youth leadership ladder.

Provide affordable, quality arts programming to youth in the Lamoille Valley and to offer financial aid to low income families.

Full Circle Theater Collaborative (FCTC) is partnering with King Street Center (KSC) to address arts education gaps in Burlington. We plan to reduce access barriers to our programming for low-income families by allowing children to participate for free. Through the 24-25 school year, FCTC will pilot an after-school theater arts programming at KSC for 10 weeks each semester (fall & winter/spring.) Students will devise an original piece of theater to perform for their families and community at their Family Dinner Night and at one of the black box theaters in downtown Burlington. If there is student interest, during FCTC’s 2025 summer programming, we will host KSC 10-14-year-olds for one-week midsummer as cast members in FCTC’s junior production, culminating in a weekend of performances at Main Street Landing.