State awards $4.2 million in preservation grants

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ The state is awarding about $4.2 million in grants to preserve 45 museums, cultural art centers and public historic sites across Rhode Island.

Officials announced the state cultural facilities grant and state preservation grant recipients Monday.

More than 60 organizations applied in 2015 and 47 received grants.            Among the recipients, the historic Greenwich Odeum theater in East Greenwich is slated to get $250,000 to restore the facade, install an assistive listening system and make the restrooms accessible.

The Southside Cultural Center is getting $450,000 to restore the Trinity Church Annex in Providence.

Several grants will be used to improve physical accessibility to cultural sites.

The program was established in 2003.

The state arts council says many public museums, cultural arts centers and civic meeting places need capital investments. 

© The Associated Press WLNE-TV  2015