National Endowment for the Arts Supports Big Heavy World via Arts Projects Grant
Big Heavy World is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $10,000. This grant will support the organization’s work to preserve and promote original Vermont-made music, strengthening the music community and economy. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to Big Heavy World, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”
James Lockridge, Big Heavy World Executive Director, said, “The musicians of Vermont contribute every day to our unique sense of place and quality of life. This Federal support highlights how important music is to Vermonters and helps lift it to become a part of larger conversations about the economy, our state’s identity, and the need to serve all art forms equitably.
David Schein, Associate Director of Big Heavy World, coordinates annual statewide participation in the international Make Music Day celebration of music and community. Schein said, “During Make Music Day, hundreds of musicians and presenters throughout the state build community through music. Audiences, venues, businesses, institutions, and artists come together around music and establish relationships that last far beyond the day for everyone's benefit. The NEA helps us make this possible.”
Big Heavy World functions as a music development office serving the music community of the state of Vermont inclusively of genre and skill level. Programs create exposure for original Vermont music while preserving its historic record, and accomplish these parts of the mission with a staff of young adult volunteers. Its work encompasses educational and performance event presentation; operation of a licensed FM radio station on which thousands of Vermont songs are automated between local radio hosts; stewardship of an archive of ~5,000 Vermont-made recordings; a small museum of Vermont music history; a community space; and special projects including coordination of a statewide music festival; documentary film; advocacy for equity in policy and resources among art forms at municipal and state levels of decision making; and efforts to strengthen material resources available to Vermont-based musical artists.
Image: Siyang Chen performs on the Burlington Waterfront during Make Music Day, 2023.