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ART! RISCA Announces RI Arts Awards. $2.75 Million to 17 Arts and Cultural Groups from Bond Measures
The awards are matching grants to fund critical capital projects at public and nonprofit arts and performance venues, museums and cultural centers statewide. These investments, through RISCA’s State Cultural Facilities Grant Program (SCFG) will enhance accessibility; bring facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); update building and fire codes; improve energy efficiency; and expand the organizations’ capacity to serve their communities.
Administered by RISCA, the ballot measure also approved funding to three named arts entities, Tomaquag Museum, Kingston on the URI campus, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Newport, and Trinity Repertory Co., Providence.
“When we invest in the arts, we’re investing in jobs, tourism, education, and the vitality of our cities and towns,†said Governor Dan McKee. “Making cultural facilities more modern and accessible positions them for long-term success and makes a real difference in their communities. I’m proud to see the results of what Rhode Islanders made possible when they voted to support this bond.â€
“I was proud to strongly support the arts economy bond measure that provided the funding announced today because Rhode Island’s arts and cultural organizations are vital to our state’s identity and economic vitality,†said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “These grants will support jobs, tourism, and local businesses, as well as local institutions that bring people together and enrich our communities.â€
President of the Senate Valarie J. Lawson said, “Investments in Rhode Island’s artistic and cultural communities benefit all of us by spurring innovation, enriching the fabric of our neighborhoods, and driving economic opportunity. RISCA plays a vital role in supporting the individuals and organizations that make Rhode Island a widely recognized hub of creativity, and I am grateful for its outstanding work. Congratulations to all the grant recipients, who will contribute so much to cities and towns across our state.â€
“Rhode Island has a well-deserved reputation as a hub of creative expression, and Rhode Islanders have consistently stood up to support important investments in the artistic and cultural institutions that enrich the fabric of our communities,†said Sen. Hanna Gallo. “These awards through the Cultural Facilities Grant Program will help so many venues and organizations continue to thrive and ensure all Rhode Islanders can access the life-changing power of the arts.”
“Non-profit cultural facilities provide spaces for arts education, community gatherings, and arts and cultural programming. We know that the projects funded by past ballot measures created statewide economic impact — as 90 percent of the funds from the projects supported by the 2014 and 2021 cultural facilities bonds were spent in all 39 cities and towns,†Todd Trebour, Executive Director, RISCA, said. “We’re grateful to the voters, Gov. McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, and Senate President Lawson. Without them, these key investments would not be possible.â€
State Cultural Facilities Grant (SCFG) Program Panel-Recommended Grantees
Capeverdean American Community Development, Pawtucket, Grant: $500,000
Joining funding from the Champlin Foundation and the City of Pawtucket, the grant will support modernization of core systems in Capeverdean American Community Development’s two-story building, located in downtown Pawtucket. Funding will address safety, crumbling masonry, accessibility, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building envelope upgrades. The renovation will create a premier cultural facility that allows for expansion of programming capacity; serves as an anchor for Pawtucket’s arts district; attracts communities in greater Providence and beyond; and ensures full ADA compliance.
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, Warwick, Grant: $331,652
The Gamm Theatre is continuing to invest in its Warwick facility to ensure it remains a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible cultural anchor for Rhode Island and Southeastern New England. Planned facility improvements will better serve the theater’s artists, audiences, and community by dedicating lab space for its recently announced new play development program and growing its education and community engagement programs. Other enhancements include a more accessible lobby entrance and the addition of an elevator, which will make the building fully ADA accessible for the theater’s diverse patron base, creating a seamless patron experience. Funding from the SCFG program will inspire further community philanthropy and strengthen The Gamm’s capacity to engage and serve the region for years to come.
Friends of Linden Place, Bristol, Grant: $331,280
To address the problem of water infiltration at Linden Place caused by heavy rain, the Friends of Linden Place will replace the roofs on each of its three buildings, the 1810 Mansion, circa 1906 ballroom, and circa 1850 carriage house, which houses the Bristol Art Museum. Each building is home to programming that directly contributes to the cultural and artistic life of the East Bay community. Addressing this issue also will ensure the safety of the collections at Linden Place and the Bristol Art Museum.
Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island, Providence, Grant: $250,000
In its historic building, the installation of an elevator is an urgent project that will enable the center to increase capacity, develop, and produce accessible programing. It will allow patrons to have access to the fourth-floor 300-seat proscenium theatre. Installation of the elevator includes demolition.
Newport Art Museum, Newport, Grant: $211,841
Improvements to Griswold House will remove barriers to access, protect collections and historic architecture, expand exhibition capacity, improve comfort for visitors, staff, and artists, and reduce energy use and operating costs. Among the needed projects are integration of a new Buildings Management System (BMS) to unify controls across the Museum’s historic buildings, and a scalable menu of climate improvements, including added dehumidification and humidification, de-stratification of trapped heat, replace mini split in the artist apartment, and replace aging HVAC units. Campus walkway re-paving will rehabilitate the Museum’s heavily worn and uneven walkways, which currently pose significant accessibility challenges.
Preserve RI for the Lippitt House Museum, Providence, Grant: $200,000
Preserve RI will address dire exterior restoration to the National Historic Landmark, Lippitt House, an example of 19th century Victorian design and craftsmanship. The funding will support mortar repointing and brownstone repair and/or replacement in strategic areas that will restore the building’s envelope to a sound watertight condition and, importantly, eliminate hazards that pose life safety threats to visitors. Additionally, the project ensures the Museum contributes to the neighborhood and city’s reputation as a cultural stronghold; a desirable place to work and live; and a destination for tourists
South County Art Association, Kingston, Grant: $200,000
Preservation and adaptive reuse for the John Russell House, Kingston Village, will provide new classrooms, studios, and galleries, expand parking and outdoor programming, and ensure ADA accessibility. This expansion will allow the association to serve an additional 1,200–1,500 students annually; grow audiences by up to 40 percent; and create new partnerships. The Russell House project will enrich the state’s arts economy for generations to come by expanding access, supporting artists, and building a lasting cultural legacy.
Newport Historical Society, Newport, Grant: $165,366
The Newport Historical Society will upgrade the circa 1697 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House with an ADA-compliant ramp and fully accessible new entrance to prepare for the 2026 grand re- opening as the Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History. The project includes creating a new entry point on Stone Street with a ramp and handrails to serve as a gateway to the sculpture garden of contemporary art.
DownCity Design, Providence, Grant: $100,000
Undersized HVAC equipment will be replaced with highly efficient equipment and properly engineered systems, ensuring students can learn and create year-round in a comfortably controlled temperature setting.
The Greenwich Odeum, East Greenwich, Grant: $100,000
To be installed is a new LED-lit marquee. The marquee will serve as a prominent focal point and community information source, while maintaining its historic character. This upgrade will help the Odeum continue as a vibrant community hub for decades to come.
La Farge Restoration Fund at Newport Congregational Church, Newport, Grant: $100,000
The La Farge Restoration Fund is collaborating with the Newport Fire Chief and specialized consultants to implement a fire prevention system in the historic former sanctuary and adjacent parish hall. The system will adhere to National Park Service guidelines for historic structures during installation and take into consideration the fragility of the existing architectural art surfaces, infrastructure issues such as boosted water pressure, new wiring, and engineering.
The Granite Theatre, Westerly, Grant: $92,522
This project will replace and upgrade outdated stage lights to energy efficient LEDs, the light board, and necessary electrical work to ensure safety and compliance. This upgrade will not only contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability but will also enhance artistic capabilities for many years to come.
Oasis International, Providence, Grant: $70,000
The grant will be used to install an air conditioning and heating system; renovate the bathroom and kitchen areas; relocate the electrical system; and complete painting throughout the space. By implementing these improvements, the hope is to create a more comfortable and functional environment that will enhance Oasis’ capacity to host a variety of events and programs.
Riverzedge Arts Project, Woonsocket, Grant: $44,240
Rusted and antiquated exterior doors will be replaced as well as upgrades to two sets of existing fire-rated interior entryway/lobby double doors. Additional fire-rated door will be installed on the basement level. New handles and locksets on existing classroom doors will make them fully ADA compliant and provide the security necessary to host different age groups at the same time. The organization will scrape and paint its tin ceiling, remediating chipping lead paint.
Newport Classical, Newport, Grant: $32,860
Newport Classical will renovate the bathrooms in the Recital Hall so they are ADA-compliant, in addition to increasing capacity, easing congestion, and improving the customer experience. The design includes upgraded, economical heating, a more efficient flow of movement, and new fixtures and building materials that will be selected for their ease of cleaning to maximize hygiene and for their energy efficiency and durability.
Artists’ Exchange, Cranston, Grant: $14,125
Artists’ Exchange will improve the air quality of the lower-level studios through HVAC work including HEPA filtration, and ventilation for our equipment for ceramics. This plan also involves purchasing a new storage unit for dry chemicals, which are used for clay and glaze formulation, as well as a fume vent for proper air quality while working with these materials. Other improvements are energy efficient LED lighting, and new water filling and filtration.
South County Museum, Narragansett, Grant: $3,200
The South County Museum plans to replace rotted porches, ramps, and doors to both its Icehouse Studio and Letterpress House. These repairs will include for the Icehouse Studio replacement of balusters, railings and handrails on the handicap ramp; porch and stairs to the back entrance; and install railing on the front door. For the Printshop the following will be replaced, front left stairs and porch, back stairs to screened-in deck, side door and double overhead track sliding door.
Grantees by name, city/town and amount:
Administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the State Cultural Facilities Grant Program promotes careful planning for capital improvement, preservation, renovation, and new construction projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers, museums and cultural art centers located around the state. Through its matching requirements, the program stimulates broader support and participation in cultural facility projects statewide.
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.