A Creative Vision to STRENGTHEN THE ARTS

Since 1975, Catamount Film & Arts (CA) in St. Johnsbury, VT has embraced the mission of providing people affordable access to quality arts engagement in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK), an underserved region designated in 2000 as one of five Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) zones in the country. May 2025 marked 50 years in operation for CA, a testament to its resilience during the challenging economic conditions of the 21st century. While ticket sales, donations and sponsorships were vital to survival, the Org required consistent additional funding and someone to deliver it. So, in response to the 2008 financial crisis, its members sought out the help they needed.

Fresh Insight for FUNDING ONGOING SUCCESS

Community-development expert Jody Fried joined the CA team as Executive Director and immediately focused on securing additional capital resources. With his entrepreneurial spirit and extensive volunteer and board experience in various NEK economic-development organizations, he leveraged numerous connections and diverse fundraising strategies to establish a more stable financial foundation for CA’s many initiatives. One of the pivotal partnerships developed during this time was with USDA Rural Development (RD), which provided community- and business-development programs perfectly aligned with CA’s mission to integrate the arts into community life. 

Finding a Way through ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

In 2020, Fried secured a USDA Community Facilities (CF) grant to enhance the sound and lighting systems in CA’s production center, ensuring compatibility with the technical requirements of quality professional touring acts. The following year, CA received two Rural Business Development Grants; one for hiring a production coordinator to help NEK communities host events, and the other for strategic marketing to boost promotion in the region. In 2024 and 2025, CA received additional CF grants for energy-efficient upgrades and roof improvements as part of its new Creative Campus project, aimed at establishing a vibrant community hub for generations of artists and creators