Art & Culture

Outdoor Art

A person looking up at a sculpture of two horses rearing up on their back legs
A colorful mural on a wall showing fish and lily pads

Public Art and Sculptures

Ever snowshoed a trail linked by murals and sculptures? What about finding both sets of whales’ tails in two different Vermont towns, a nod to the whale bones found in Vermont? Vermont’s outdoor art showcases how Vermont landscapes and towns not only inspire artists, but also become part of the work and the experience of taking it in. Enjoy the fresh air as you explore public art.

Seen from behind, a person paints a mural that includes an acoustic guitar, lots of colors, and the word “gratitude.”

Public Art Exhibits

You won’t have to look far to be inspired by public art in Vermont. Whether you’re drawn to colorful murals splashed on brick buildings in historic downtowns, like Rutland, Burlington, Brattleboro, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury, or following sculpture trails that illustrate Green Mountain history, there’s plenty to see. Even natural areas, like Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee and Raven Ridge Natural Area near Charlotte, are the perfect place to marry art and the natural beauty of Vermont’s outdoors.

A crowd watches an outdoor concert on the lawn of a ski slope.
Fireworks streak across the sky above a lit stage at dusk.

Outdoor Music

From late spring to late fall, and at ski resorts during the winter, live music’s stage is set by Vermont’s natural beauty. In the summer, Vermont Symphony Orchestra performs statewide outdoors, Shelburne Museum hosts Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green, and Vermont’s biggest city, Burlington, turns up the volume at the annual Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, drawing both local and internationally known performers. Downtowns host recurring live music series throughout the season, inviting people to gather in the streets for a nightlife feel, including at Burlington’s Waterfront Park.

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Vermont Arts Council

Vermont Arts Council stewards and cultivate Vermont’s artistic heritage and works to help the arts reach every facet of life in Vermont, from downtowns to mountains to forests. Browse installations and exhibits and learn what’s new.

Learn More about Vermont Arts Council
A large painted mural on the side of a brick building. A sign that reads
A wall next to a sidewalk painted with a colorful mural featuring a green bear, river, and forest.
A wall next to a sidewalk that's painted with a snowy scene and red buildings and trees.
A metal sculpture of a person standing on a horse. Other sculptures and people walking can be seen in the background.
An outdoor sculpture of two boulder-like structures.
Seen from below, a person stands within a curved, orange sculpture of orange
A person stands in grass holding up a painted piece of art. A pond can be seen in the background.
A red building next to a wide field of green grass. Sculptures sit in the distance.
Two people walk in grass near a tall sculpture with a clothes hanger on top.