Rhode Island arts community gets major financial boost

January 23, 2024 8:25 pm

Ryan Medeiros,

WASHINGTON D.C. (WLNE) – Rhode Island is set to receive a $275,000 boost for local arts projects from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo announced on Tuesday that multiple organizations and projects have been awarded NEA grant funding.

The NEA funds will support a range of ongoing and new projects including educational opportunities for young artists and professional development opportunities, according to state delegates.

These opportunities include a series of concerts and festivals, museum exhibits and theatrical productions.

“Rhode Islanders understand the power of the arts to strengthen communities, spur economic development, and enrich lives,” Senator Reed said. “This funding will help Rhode Island’s vibrant arts community continue to drive and strengthen community connections and economic development across our state.”

Rhode Island projects and programs funding in this round of awards include:

$65,000 for Alliance of Artists Communities
$50,000 for Rhode Island School of Design
$30,000 for DownCity Design
$30,000 for Providence College
$25,000 for a Literature Fellowship
$25,000 for New Urban Arts
$15,000 for AS220
$15,000 for Trinity Repertory Company
$10,000 for Rhode Island Black Storytellers
$10,000 for Newport String Project

“Rhode Island’s creative arts scene is second to none,” Senator Whitehouse said. “This federal funding will support projects that celebrate the cultural diversity of our state, from Black storytelling and poetry to a new Trinity Rep production that tells the stories of Providence’s Latino community.”