Arts and Culture
Are you looking to put down roots in a new place that supports creatives? Southern Vermont loves arts and culture! If you’ve looked around you already know that we are lucky to have more artists, music, entertainment, crafts and culture than your average rural region.
In fact, outside pandemic times, we’ve got music every night – from jazz, to contra music and dancing to classical and contemporary. We’ve still got local movie theaters – Bellows Falls Opera House, Latchis Theater, Hometown Cinemas in Bennington. Check out these event calendars for the region and local Chamber sites for more info.
For working artists and artisans, you’ll find a community of like-minded people pursuing their craft, and some great resources whether you are a photographer, a writer, a printer, or potter. If your medium is digital, you may join a growing community of remote-working creatives or join a local organization’s marketing and design team. Careers in arts and culture range from the professionals leading cultural institutions like those listed below, to running big events that welcome thousands of visitors each year. They also include working for medium-scale “makers” like Laura Zindel Design or Bennington Potters. A major economic driver and employer of creative talent is the wedding and event sector. Local events are poised for a huge post-pandemic comeback based on bookings right now. Many creatives who live in the region also work remotely or travel part-time in order to maintain connections with key clients or galleries and connect with bigger markets.
We’ve listed here just some of the cultural assets and networks.
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Links to Cultural Institutions:
- NECCA New England Center for Circus Arts
- BMAC
- Brattleboro Music Center
- Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
- Vermont Jazz Center
- Weston Playhouse
- New England Youth Theater
- Marlboro Music Festival
- Next Stage Arts Putney
- Vermont Center for Photography
- Insight Photography
- First Proof Press
- Southern Vermont Arts Center
- Dorset Theater Festival
- Bennington Museum
- Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home
- Bennington Performing Arts Center
- Oldcastle Theatre
- Sage City Symphony
- Taconic Music
- Manchester Music Festival
- Robert Frost Stone House Museum
- Dorset Players
- Usdan Gallery at Bennington College
- Billsville House Concerts
- VAPA at Bennington College
- Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival
- River Gallery School
- Next Stage Arts
