St Johnsbury, Vermont, US
Impact Report | March 2025
Local lead contact:
Molly Stone, Artistic Director, Catamount Arts
General update
There has been widespread positive movement in line with the objectives of MPRN (communicating the social and economic value of music), and following in its wake. MPRN and in particular, the report, strengthened Catamount Arts’ objective of embedding the creative economy into the town plan, and into all systems in St Johnsbury. This includes having back stops and downclimbs in place for when disturbances occur, so that music, arts and culture are not first to be cut, and propagating the understanding that it is integral to community life and an economic driver in its own right.
The work with MPRN was extremely valuable – it provided an external perspective, outside of Vermont, and outside of the United States, where we can point to the same philosophy being shared by global partners and neighbours, and witness its success and different stages of evolution in towns around the world. Membership of the network helps us signal the value of the creative sector to those that need to hear it.
Arts and culture have always served as a social bridge. Arts events have provided public ‘third spaces’ where folks can gather outside of work and home life. An Arts and Culture Masterplan is currently in development, and will serve as a strategic guide for St. Johnsbury. Ensuring that music, and the arts as a whole, continue to be prioritized and recognized as playing a significant role in enhancing community vitality and economic growth. MPRN has expanded the research based framework that underpins this initiative..
Specific impact from MPRN
MPRN has provided much more evidence based data – specifically in terms of the economic return on investment. While this is slow work, it is no less important or tangible than a specific event.
The work has been presented to town leadership and has contributed to the development of an Art and Culture Master Plan, a strategic framework to guide the Arts and Culture Policy written into the Town Plan (The State of Vermont has a ‘Town Meeting Day’ which is the first Tuesday of March. Every town has its own town meeting. It is democracy in action in every single town, where all residents are invited to come and have input). The desired outcome is to have the creative sector written into the St. Johnsbury town plan for the next eight years.
The report has been shared with the Vermont Arts Council. They have it in their collection of research and it is part of their research pool for the advocacy work undertaken at state level.
The global perspective has been particularly appreciated, as rural and remote communities can be isolating. This work, based on evidence based research and data cannot be disputed and is invaluable. Efforts to highlight the importance of engaging with all of the research are ongoing, and Catamount Arts expects a gradual but meaningful impact over time. This work is part of a broader movement, and lasting change will take time. Every part of the system plays a critical role. MPRN is part of that system. MPRN is an important addition to our work.
Ongoing engagement with MPRN:
Still much enthusiasm for the masterclasses – really enjoyed the tourism masterclass in particular. Catamount Arts wish to remain involved, not just for the masterclasses, but for the networking opportunities.
Learning from colleagues around the world is very unique and incredibly valuable. Longevity matters. This is deep and consistent work that can't be finished within a year or two.