$14.5 Million Arts Center Expansion Strengthens Manchester’s Cultural Economy
Originally published by VTDigger on May 31, 2026
The Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester has completed a transformative expansion designed to strengthen the Northshire as a cultural destination. The centerpiece of the $14.5 million capital project is a new 12,000-square-foot addition to Yester House, providing museum-quality galleries, collection storage and new public spaces.
The expansion also creates a permanent home for Lyman Orton’s remarkable collection of more than 300 works of 20th-century Vermont art. For the regional economy, the project reaches beyond arts and culture. SVAC is intentionally positioning itself to attract visitors from major markets including New York and Boston, adding another year-round destination to Manchester’s tourism economy while strengthening the amenities that make the Northshire attractive to residents, businesses and investors.
