Dobet Gnahoré from West Africa, performing at Chandler Center for the Arts with support from the New England States Touring program of New England Foundation for the Arts and made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. Photo by Matthew Gustafson http://www.gustophotos.com Make Music Vermont once again filled Vermont towns with music on June 21st. This is the tenth year that Big Heavy World has coordinated the celebration, part of World Music Day which takes place every year on the summer solstice in ..read more

Call to Artists Below is information about a statewide commemoration to be held throughout Vermont in 2026. It’s a ‘call to action’ that is especially relevant to creative Vermonters and those who examine the past and present, or who work to change our culture for the benefit of the future. Vermonters have a deeply reflective perspective and a willingness to share; we understand that the future takes the shape we give it, and this labor should be grounded in knowledge of the past and the wisdom that comes from it. The upcoming years-long statewide event is a blank canvas for Vermonters to demo ..read more

An illuminated igloo on the Sand Bar of Lake Champlain. Date: 7/1/2024 Contact: Jim Brangan Email: jbrangan@lcbp.org Telephone: (802) 372-0213 or (800) 468-5227 Address: 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT 05458 Website: lcbp.org Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program Seeks Artist-in-Residence Proposals Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Artist-in-Residence (AiR) programs. This opportunity will support development of Artist-in-Residence programs in 2025 that recruit artists to use scientific data, cultural t ..read more

Linda Bassick is a Burlington-based musician and early educator. Originally from the Boston area in Massachusetts, Bassick has been playing music since she was eight years old and singing since she was born. She plays guitar, as well as trombone, flute, and piano. While the music scene is large in Boston, Bassick feels that nothing compares to the support of Burlington’s community. It’s welcoming and collaborative, giving unique opportunities to people looking to expand their talents and get involved. “Everyone plays with everybody else,” said Bassick. “It's a community. It's great, it's not ..read more

A meeting of the Big Heavy World board of directors is scheduled to be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 25, 6pm ET. An opportunity for public comment precedes the agenda. Contact Big Heavy World for information. Photo by Benjamin Child via Unsplash ..read more

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 ..read more

Kira Schaefer is a Public Communications major at the University of Vermont and is from Westchester, New York. She is interested in pursuing a career in law focusing on copyright and music production. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Big Heavy World team and support local Vermont artists. Outside of law, Kira is part of the ballet team at UVM and loves to write ..read more

America250 is a national organization with the mission to include as many Americans as possible from across the country in the Semiquincentennial commemoration, coming up on July 4, 2026. The Semiquincentennial is the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the country. In Vermont a commission was established to help commemorate the 250th, too, in great part by encouraging Vermonters to learn more about the history of America’s democratic experiment and bring their own improvements to it (more on Vermont’s plans to come!) In July, America250 kicked off an effort called America’s Invitation ..read more

Big Heavy World has received a Vermont Arts Council Arts Operating Grant to support our work of preserving and promoting Vermont-made music. To all involved in providing the resources to create this fund and in the decision-making to determine grantees, thank you! The press release below was shared by the VAC on September 5, 2023. MONTPELIER—The Vermont Arts Council announces grant awards to 79 Vermont organizations—from arts nonprofits to arts schools, museums to makerspaces, from libraries to community art centers, and more. All are helping to expand arts access through specific programs or ..read more

Keagan Lafferty is a student at University of Vermont studying Music Technology and Music Business, as well as Film and English. She is a singer/songwriter and producer, and lead singer and manager of Burlington band Cows on the Moon. She is also a passionate listener and supporter of the local music scene and a music journalist, reporting on local music and cultural happenings for UVM’s magazine, the Vermont Cynic. Keagan is involved at Big Heavy World in many projects including community engagement, youth programs, social media, and outreach ..read more