Rhode Island officials launch ‘Yes on Five’ campaign for arts funding

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island leaders launched the Yes on Five campaign to advocate for a $10 million bond aimed at supporting arts and cultural projects across the state.

The proposal is set to appear on the November ballot as Question 5 and, if passed, would allocate funding to several arts institutions and a statewide grant program.

The bond would provide $2 million each to Trinity Repertory, Newport Contemporary Ballet, and the Tomaquag Museum for renovations and expansions.

An additional $4 million would go to the Cultural Arts and Economy Grant Program, which officials said supports smaller arts organizations in the state.

Trinity Rep Executive Director Kate Liberman emphasized the potential impact of the funding.

“Arts and culture organizations who have imperative facilities needs that will create union jobs to do that construction and will expand facilities to ensure more people have access to their artistic and cultural programming” she said.

Advocates of the bond argue that continued investment is crucial to maintaining Rhode Island’s creative economy.

“You don’t have to be somebody who’s passionate about the arts” Sen. Joshua Miller reflected, “You have to be somebody who’s willing to understand the impact on the community as a whole”