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Cultural arts/historic preservation grants for 42 Rhode Island projects open to public
Grants Will Fund 42 Renovation, Repair and Program Expansion Projects
Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) jointly announced today the recipients of 24 State Cultural Facilities Grants and 18 State Preservation Grants. Together the projects represent some $2.28 million from RISCA and more than $1.18 million from RIHPHC for capital preservation work at public and nonprofit arts and performance facilities, museums, cultural arts centers and historic sites throughout the state.
“Rhode Island is rich in history, arts, and culture, which play a significant role in our economy in every city and town,” said Governor McKee. “Through this funding, our state will continue to be a leader nationally in historic preservation, and arts and culture. On behalf of the State of Rhode Island, our congratulations to these organizations, and thank you to RISCA and RIHPHC for their work to improve the quality of life in our State.”
“Rhode Island is recognized nationally as a leader in historic preservation and the arts,” said Jeffrey Emidy, Interim Executive Director of the RIHPHC. “These state grants are investments that build on our strengths.”
“Rhode Islanders recognized the significance of these investments in their community and their importance to our state’s economy,” said Faye Zuckerman, RISCA’s Director of Communication. “Our museums, cultural arts centers and performance spaces, which are open to the public, will receive the capital improvements they badly need.”
In March 2021, R.I. voters passed the Cultural Arts and State Preservation Grants Programs ballot measure, which authorized the state to allocate $7 million in funding for arts, culture and historic facilities. Of the $7 million, $2 million were appropriated to RISCA for competitive grants while $1 million went to RIHPHC to fund grants for capital improvements to key historic facilities. Carryover funds from the 2014 $30 million ballot measure totaling $460,930 were included in the grants being distributed. Both programs require grantees to secure matching funds for their projects.
Some examples of the 42 projects include:
- Teatro ECAS, Rhode Island’s only Spanish-language theatre, will renovate a new performance space in the Valley Arts District of Providence. $204,420.
- The City of Central Falls will complete critical structural repairs to Cogswell Tower, built in 1904, located in historic Jenks Park. $150,000.
- Historic New England will replace the roof and gutter system of the circa 1796 barn at Watson Farm in Jamestown. The barn is a rare 18th century structure still in use for farm activities, and also provides space for programming and farm tours. $69,000.
- The East Providence Historical Society will install storm windows and complete exterior repairs at the John Hunt House Museum and Education Center in Rumford. Built in 1751, the house contains local history exhibits, an education center, library and meeting space. $26,865.
- Exeter-based Tomaquag Museum will build a new campus in a partnership with the University of Rhode Island. The new facility will increase the Museum’s capacity and visibility. $250,000.
- The Artists’ Exchange, located in Cranston, will renovate its lower-level multipurpose room. This project will ensure code and safety compliance while expanding programming space. $40,000.
List of Grantees
| Organization Name | Location | Award | Grant Name |
| Herreshoff Marine Museum | Bristol | $112,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Linden Place | Bristol | $28,200 | State Preservation Grant |
| City of Central Falls | Central Falls | $150,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Artists’ Exchange | Cranston | $40,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm Preservation Association | Cumberland | $75,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Cape Verdean Museum | East Providence | $100,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| East Providence Historical Society | East Providence | $26,865 | State Preservation Grant |
| Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum | Exeter | $250,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Foster Preservation Society | Foster | $11,900 | State Preservation Grant |
| Historic New England | Jamestown | $69,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| South County Art Association | Kingston | $128,535 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Newport Art Museum and Art Association | Newport | $18,700 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Island Moving Co. | Newport | $250,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Newport Performing Arts Center | Newport | $50,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| La Farge Restoration Fund | Newport | $94,109 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| La Farge Restoration Fund | Newport | $150,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Fort Adams Trust | Newport | $122,500 | State Preservation Grant |
| Preservation Society of Newport County | Newport | $74,250 | State Preservation Grant |
| Newport Restoration Foundation | Newport | $30,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Pawtucket Public Library | Pawtucket | $58,100 | State Preservation Grant |
| Teatro ECAS | Providence | $204,429 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Providence Performing Arts Center | Providence | $100,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Rhode Island School of Design Museum | Providence | $45,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Festival Ballet Providence | Providence | $13,820 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| DownCity Design | Providence | $100,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| The Steel Yard | Providence | $36,400 | State Preservation Grant |
| The Steel Yard | Providence | $53,178 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Dirt Palace Public Projects | Providence | $49,880 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Community MusicWorks | Providence | $84,275 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| The Players | Providence | $90,500 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| AS220 | Providence | $61,976 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Wilbury Theatre Group | Providence | $56,079 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Oasis International | Providence | $150,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Museum of Natural History and Planetarium | Providence | $88,500 | State Preservation Grant |
| Rhode Island Historical Society | Providence | $48,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Scituate Historical Society | Scituate | $9,900 | State Preservation Grant |
| South County History Center | South Kingstown | $42,075 | State Preservation Grant |
| Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre | Warwick | $128,327 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum | Warwick | $50,000 | State Preservation Grant |
| Stadium Theatre Foundation | Woonsocket | $73,133 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| Beacon Charter Schools Corp. | Woonsocket | $95,000 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| RiverzEdge Arts Project | Woonsocket | $41,300 | State Cultural Facilities Grant |
| TOTAL | $3,460,931 |