Moving from studio art to public art is a big step. It is also the focus of this season's Breaking Into Business workshop. Dee Boyle-Clapp and Todd Trebour of the Arts Extension Service will examine the public art process, from concept to ribbon cutting. They will explain the business side of public art: understanding requirements, fulfilling the proposal, and engaging with the community or audience.

Is a public art commission the next step in your career? Read more about the workshop "Breaking Into Business: Winning Public Art Commissions."

Friday's forecast calls for clear skies, crisp temperatures, and streets filled with strolling art lovers. On this first Friday of September, Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, and Montpelier will all host art walks.

Bennington First Friday features local artists exhibiting their work in stores, restaurants, and galleries, as well as live music and other special activities.

In Brattleboro, more than 25 venues will be open during the evening Gallery Walk. Stop by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, the Vermont Center for Photography, and

	"14: Possession in Great Measure" by Elizabeth Nelson at the Spotlight Gallery in Montpelier.

Mitchell * Giddings Fine Arts.

Burlington is always hopping with arts events, but for First Friday Art the creative community pulls out all the stops with dozens of art venues across the city hosting openings, exhibitions, and happenings.

Not to be outdone, the Capitol City will entice people with art -  and cheese - at the Montpelier Art Walk. The Supreme Court Gallery, Governor's Gallery, and the Vermont Arts Council Spotlight Gallery will join other downtown venues to highlight the best in Vermont art. And cheese!

Get out and celebrate September and art.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released new research that confirms what we already know: Vermont is a very active state when it comes to arts participation. For the first time, the NEA offers a state-by-state perspective on how American adults participate in the arts.

We can be proud. Vermont is above the national average in five out of seven of the measures included in the study. The State ranks #1 as a percent of U.S. adults in reading literature, #2 in performing or creating artworks, and #2 in attending art exhibits.

The study also examines the relationship between arts participation and education, poverty, and access to arts organizations. The accompanying report states, "Among Vermont's adults, who rank highly in attendance at live music, theater, and dance performances, 44.8 percent hold college degrees, and Vermont's poverty rate is below average - 12.2 percent."

Read the entire report here.

Don't let summer end with Labor Day. You can keep the fun going at South Burlington's Art Hop, happening September 9 through 11.

Burlington is known for great food and drink - there is no question that there will be plenty to nosh on before, during, and after all your hopping. But (did you know?) there is one brewery in particular that really gets into the spirit of the Art Hop.
Read this week's Featured Story to learn how you can support Vermont arts just by drinking a beer. Hop to It!