Venue grants awarded to Pentangle, VINS
A view of the mountains surrounding Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson)
As reopening efforts continue, more financial help is on its way for the many local venues that closed their doors during the pandemic. That’s thanks to the latest round of federal shuttered venue grants.
Among the 59 Vermont recipients are Pentangle Arts Council in Woodstock, which will get a $96,969 grant, and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee, which was awarded a grant of $248,419. Overall, $18.7 million in grant assistance will go to eligible live music venues, movie theaters, and performing arts organizations in the Green Mountain State.
Alita Wilson, executive director of Pentangle, said the local nonprofit plans to reopen its theater this Saturday for a three-night run of the movie “In the Heights” — the theater had closed in March 2020. Wilson said the federal grant will be a huge help in covering reopening expenses, including the higher wages needed to pay projection staff, after some former employees moved on.
“We’re thrilled we got this money,” she said.
It also helps add a financial buffer, Wilson added, since it’s not clear how many people will show up or if restrictions may happen again in the future. So far, Vermont officials have kept things as they are — statewide restrictions were lifted in June, including all capacity limits.
As for VINS, the Quechee organization closed for three months in 2020, and went through the winter with all indoor spaces closed. It reopened to full capacity after the state lifted all restrictions last month. Like Pentangle, VINS has used other federal relief, including the paycheck protection loan program, to stay afloat through the many challenges of the past 18 months.
“The whole range of programs designed to help organizations make up for revenue loss have been tremendously helpful,” said Charlie Rattigan, VINS’ executive director.
With the generosity of many friends and supporters, along with the federal money, Rattigan said VINS was able to avoid layoffs or program cuts. Now, they’re able to run the usual summer schedule of four programs, daily, including camps.
“It’s fun every day to hear the shouts and laughter of children through the open windows,” Rattigan said.
Other nearby venues receiving the shuttered venues operators grants (SVOG) include JAG Productions Company, of White River Junction; Northern Stage, of White River Junction; Chandler Center for the Arts, of Randolph; Friends of the Historic Playhouse Theater, of Randolph; and the Paramount Theatre, of Rutland. Click here to access the full list of grantees and amounts.
The support of the Vermont Congressional Delegation was vital to the legislation containing the grants. The money was part of the Save Our Stages Act, which was introduced last year by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy played a key role in getting this legislation signed into law and funds appropriated for the grants. In a joint statement, Welch, Leahy and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders noted the importance of these venues to local communities.
“What began as the ‘Save Our Stages’ movement over a year ago, has now materialized into meaningful relief for the venues we know and love,” the delegation said. “Our independent live music and entertainment venues not only bring joy and energy to our downtowns and communities, they are economic engines that help make Vermont such a special place to live and visit.”
— Gareth Henderson
