Barre, VT
Studio Place Arts (SPA) is a nonprofit visual arts center in Barre, Vermont, operating out of a historic granite-and-brick building in the heart of the state's granite quarrying region. Its mission is to enrich people around the region by making the visual arts accessible to everyone through education, art exhibitions (free of charge), and contact with working artists. SPA opened its doors in 2000 following extensive renovations of a fire-damaged historic structure, known as the Nichols Block. SPA's facility has served the visual arts community for decades and faces significant infrastructure challenges compounded by recurring flood damage in recent years.
A 2026 FCI Catalyst Grant will support Phase 3 of foundation reinforcement, insulation, and water-damage repair on the historic structure following three major floods in twelve months. The project advances both flood resilience and energy efficiency, addressing critical building vulnerabilities while preserving the facility as a sustainable home for visual arts.