Creative Economy

Artistry. History. Community.

10,574

Jobs in Vermont

2.85%

of Vermont’s GDP

#3

Arts and cultural Value Added

$1.16B

to the economy

Creatives have been a part of Vermont’s image and economy since its earliest days

Vermont has produced some of our country’s most iconic artistry—from Norman Rockwell’s instantly recognizable illustrations to the masterful carvings of Barre granite sculptors that grace the magnificent government buildings in our nation’s capital.

Today, Vermont’s creative economy is an interconnected tapestry of artisans, innovators, makers, educators, performers, designers, writers, preservationists, and more, working together and individually to enhance the cultural and intellectual landscape of the state. The creative economy they form, as defined by the New England Foundation for the Arts, “is a subset of the overall economy that only includes those industry sectors and occupations with a categorical focus on the ‘production and distribution of cultural goods, services and intellectual property’.”

This collective economic activity represents the enormous variety of creative opportunity in Vermont—historic preservation and visits to museums, art galleries, and sculpture parks; film and television production; textile and fiber work; gaming software development and metalwork—these smaller industry segments together make a strong economic impact.

The Vermont Creative Network is a broad collective of organizations, businesses, and individuals working to advance Vermont’s creative sector. The Network supports leadership teams in Creative Zones located throughout the state, each working to promote the vitality and growth of creative enterprises.

The Vermont Arts Council supports Vermont arts and artists through funding, advocacy, and programs designed to increase public awareness. You can search thousands of Vermont artists, performers, and arts organizations via Creative Ground, a New England directory of creative enterprises and artists.