ARLINGTON — Arlington’s Arts and Enrichment Program received a grant through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s Regional Marketing Program, one of 22 organizations that received funding to help economic recovery by supporting regional efforts to increase visitation and tourism-related activities. The grants are intended to enable local, regional or national organizations to implement campaigns and initiatives that increase consumer spending, support local businesses and advance community recovery efforts in the tourism sector.

“As the tourism sector continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, having resources to attract and invite visitors to all corners of the state is critical,” said VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham. , in a press release announcing the $600,000 grant program. “The variety of projects and initiatives these grants will support illustrates both the breadth of tourism opportunities in the state and the uniqueness each community has to offer. We can’t wait to see all these creative projects come to life.

In allocating funds, priority was given to projects with the potential to have long-term transformational effects; campaigns that reach underrepresented, new and diverse visitor communities; and projects that create assets that will last beyond the grant term. To increase regional and statewide collaboration, new creative assets developed through this grant will be shared with VDTM for additional amplification and brand reach.

The funded projects fell into five main categories: arts and cultural events; development of creative assets and targeted marketing; digital and/or website updates; festivals; and itineraries and/or cartographic projects. Examples of projects:

Arlington’s Arts and Enrichment Program received funding to create a multi-day Battenkill Fly and Film Festival in late April, centered around the International Fly Fishing Film Festival and the opening week of the fly fishing season. Films screened at the newly created Arlington Common will be complemented by “river supply” packages available at area restaurants, related events at local galleries and museums, and a series of independent driving tours to encourage travel around the region.

The City of South Burlington has received funding to launch a new annual Winter Lights Festival featuring Vermont musicians, arts, crafts and locally made food and drink gifts, and vendors local food in collaboration with local arts organizations, the local hospitality industry and civic organizations. .

Barre’s Studio Place Arts (SPA) has received funding to support a year-long regional advertising campaign to promote the SPA 2022 exhibition calendar, which includes the work of more than 380 small art businesses. Studio Place Arts will also host a two-weekend event to coincide with the 22nd annual rock carving show, “Rock Solid,” during the busy fall tourist season.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports received funding to produce video and photographic content that showcases accessible adventures and outdoor recreation in the Mad River Valley, Killington/Rutland area and on the waterfront and Burlington bike path.

The Vermont River Conservancy has received funding to create an interactive map that will provide information on more than 50 swimming holes, dozens of boat launch sites, favorite fishing spots and paddler trails, as well as a series of six videos in Spanish promoting Vermont’s waterways.

“We are delighted to see the strong regional partnerships that have come together to ensure the success of these collaborative projects,” said Heather Pelham, Commissioner of VDTM. “These partnerships will ensure Vermont’s tourism industry is more resilient now and in the future.”

All projects must be completed by March 1, 2023. For a complete list of recipients, visit the grant program page on accd.vermont.gov. Funding for this program was allocated through Bill 74 of the Vermont Legislative Assembly.