The impact of COVID-19 has been felt all over N’dakinna (our homeland) for over three years. Now we have an opportunity for Native American visual and performing artists to create and share artwork that expresses their response to the pandemic experience.
We are looking for Abenaki or Native American artists, musicians, and community members who can help to express the impact of this pandemic on ourselves, our families and community, through visual or performing arts, or simply sharing stories of personal experience and perceptions about the the COVID-19 global pandemic, vaccines, disparities, and access.
We are defining artwork in its broadest form. All artistic mediums are welcome. Paintings, collage, mixed media, carving, sculpture, fiber, weaving, pottery, poetry, photography, music, storytelling, dance, video…
The stories and artwork will be shared in an online exhibit about our experiences and will be considered for possible inclusion in a museum exhibit and educational materials.
Eligible Native American artists will submit artwork by December 31, 2022, with an artist statement that explains the artwork, and a brief intake form.
December 5, 2022 – We are so honored that Abenaki and other Native American Families are trusting us with their family stories about vaccines, disparity, and access issues they are experiencing. During storytelling sessions, we provide participants with many different types of art materials to help them express themselves. Here is an example of a process drawing that was created during a storytelling session. What do you see when you look at it?
We are looking for Abenaki or Native American artists, musicians, and community members to help express the impact of this pandemic ourselves and our local community through visual or performing arts, share stories of personal experience and perceptions about the COVID-19 global pandemic, vaccines, disparities, and access.
All artistic media are welcome: painting, collage, mixed media, carving, sculpture, fiber, weaving, pottery, poetry, photography, music, storytelling, dance, video, & more . . .
Contact Us! If you are interested in submitting work or would like more information, email [email protected] or call (802) 265-0092.
November 15, 2022 – We are grateful to everyone who is participating in the Abenaki Storytelling Project. We’ve spent months collecting stories and artwork about the Native American COVID experience in Vermont. The stories are like legos that come in different sizes and shapes.
October 20, 2022 – Our team attended the Mending Ourselves, Together conference at the UVM Davis Center, Burlington and we share our community initiative with healthcare professionals interested in health equity.
August 19 – 20, 2022 – We set up a memory booth at the Nulhegan Heritage Gathering, Camp Sunrise Cub Scouting Camp. Community members created artwork and shared their COVID memories.
October 1, 2022 – Visit the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association’s Storytelling booth at the Indigenous People’s Day Rocks event in Stowe on October 8th. Mayo Farm Fields, Stowe, VT.
August 3, 2022 – We are excited to announce we will be gathering stories and artwork about the Native American COVID experience in Vermont at the Nulhegan Abenaki Gathering at Camp Sunrise Cub Scouting Camp. Stop by our booth and tell us your story. Artwork and stories will inform an upcoming traveling museum and digital exhibition.
July 15, 2020 – Are there incentives for participating in the Abenaki COVID-19 Storytelling Project Memory Booth? Recently, we were asked if there are any incentives for participating in Abenaki COVID-19 Storytelling Project Memory Booth. Individuals who participate in the Memory Booth may select their choice of either an I support the Abenaki t-shirt or an insulated drink cup. There are monetary incentives available for one-on-one storytelling or focus group storytelling sessions.
Insulated cup – incentive for participation in the Abenaki Storytelling Project
T-shirt – incentive for participation in the Abenaki Storytelling Project
June 20, 2022
VAAA’s Executive Director Vera Longtoe Sheehan did a presentation about the Abenaki COVID-19 Storytelling Project at the annual at Abenaki Heritage Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT. After the presentation, people flocked over to the Memory Booth seeking more information. We collected stories and artwork from more than 18 Native American people!
June 13, 2022
The VAAA Storytelling Project will be hosting a Memory Booth at various community events around N’Dakinna (our homeland). The Memory Booth is a place where Abenaki people can create artwork and tell their stories to promote health and wellness. This year, we are processing our thoughts and feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines, disparities, and access. VAAA will have a Memory Booth set up at our annual Abenaki Heritage Weekend on June 18-19, 2022. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
Like everyone else in the world, the Abenaki community has been greatly affected by the global pandemic and the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association is no exception. VAAA’s Abenaki Storytelling project will “allow us to explore this period of our history in a way that hasn’t been done before. Abenakis will tell and interpret their own experience about the pandemic and vaccination intake,” says VAAA Executive Director Vera Longtoe Sheehan.
May 25
We are excited to share the logo for our banners and website.
Storytelling Project logo
May 15, 2022
What is the Abenaki Storytelling Project?
The Abenaki Storytelling Project is a community-based arts and storytelling project that focuses on Native American strength and resiliency. The project is led by Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA), a Native American arts organization that serves the public by connecting them to Abenaki educators and artists from the visual, performing, and literary arts. VAAA has special expertise in working with Abenaki artists and incorporating their arts and storytelling into public programs, cultural events, and museum exhibitions. VAAA uses insights from Native American arts and storytelling to uplift Abenaki voices and perspectives in the interpretation of museum exhibitions, education resources, and in health equity.
I’m often contacted when someone is looking for an artist to fill a position. As a result, VAAA has decided to list opportunities here on our website. You will usually find the posting(s) listed just as the employer or organizer has sent it/them to me. Just click on the link (in blue), if you are interested. Check back often, as you never know when a new opportunity will be listed.
Waolôwzi (Be very well),
Vera Longtoe Sheehan
In partnership with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), ATALM is launching a dynamic six-month program that will empower, nurture, and celebrate 20 talented Native craft artists.
For the purpose of this program, “craft artist” is defined as artists who create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques such as weaving, pottery, beadwork, needlework, jewelry making, and other forms.
Key Program Features:
Funding of $10,000 for each of the 20 chosen artists.
Tailored training sessions to enhance business practices, including the production of a business and marketing plan.
Access to a wealth of resources, including materials, workshops, and tools.
One-on-one coaching from artists with successful careers. Coaches will receive national recognition for their leadership and generosity.
Abenaki people and Friends please pass this on to any Abenaki sculptors or muralists that you know who might want to present a proposal to Burlington City Arts for public art at the Burlington International Airport or in the new downtown Burlington City Project. Wouldn’t it be great if Abenaki heritage, history and tradition – and design – were represented as part of these projects?
TWO PUBLIC ART CALLS TO ARTISTS
DEADLINE FOR EACH ONE IS SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
Burlington City Arts
Burlington International Airport Project
Burlington International Airport (BTV) is excited to partner with BCA on a call-to-artists for a new permanent artwork at the airport. The work will be created on a substrate and installed in a second-floor hallway, part of the newly opened TSA area. This installation will celebrate Burlington and Vermont’s ongoing commitment to innovation, equity, and environmental sustainability as well as the stunning natural beauty that defines our region. The deadline for submitting qualifications is September 22, 2023, 11:59 PM EDT. If you have questions, please email Jessica Manley at [email protected].
As part of the ongoing Great Streets Initiative, the CityPlace Streetscape Project seeks to incorporate public art into the streetscape surrounding the new mixed-use facility. This call to artists specifically aims to attract applicants who identify as Black or brown, historically marginalized or disenfranchised individuals, or individuals who may not have had access to traditional arts education and training and are looking to add public art project experience to their portfolio. The deadline for submitting qualifications is September 22, 2023,11:59 PM EDT. If you have questions, please email Colin Storrs at [email protected].
Vermont Humanities values equity, curiosity, humility, and bravery. We seek to engage all Vermonters in the world of ideas, foster a culture of thoughtfulness, and inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Programs Support Specialist: PT/Remote
Programs Support Specialist is an effective and agile position that supports the delivery of Vermont Humanities’ programs. This person ensures accountability with our program partners and funders by fulfilling in a timely manner requests for program materials, payments, illustrative data, and accurate reporting.
The organization is committed to using a diversity, equity, inclusion, and access lens to meet its mission. This position reports to the Director of Programs.
Flex Scheduling/Remote Opportunities
This position is part-time with flexible hours of around 20 hours per week. Most hours can be completed remotely with bi-weekly meetings at the Vermont Humanities office in Montpelier. Computer equipment will be provided to complete this work.
Send a resumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
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