The National Endowment for the Arts today announced that ten Rhode Island organizations, including the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, will receive $1,108,000 in federal grants through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These grants will support activities in communities throughout Rhode Island that effect our state's economy, quality of life and educational programs.
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “Everywhere I have traveled over the past 9 months, I have been encouraged by the resilience and adaptability of our arts organizations, as they strive to fulfill their missions in the midst of a challenging economy. I’ve learned that a thriving arts sector brings with it economic and cultural vitality that helps drive community sustainability. These NEA grants will help sustain art work and keep it working for the organization, its community, and the nation.”
Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, applauded the federal arts funding agency for its support. "We have seen clear evidence that the arts contribute dramatically to the Rhode Island economy and to the education of our children," Rosenbaum said. "This federal support, matched with state dollars, helps to ensure that we continue to be a creative state, able to compete on the national stage with young people who learn through the arts to be the imaginative thinkers and problem-solvers of the twenty-first century."
About the National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts.
About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts 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. For more information on RISCA and its programs, please visit www.arts.ri.gov.
A list of the projects receiving funding is below:
RHODE ISLAND
Alliance of Artists Communities Providence, RI $50,000 CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting To support Artists Communities: New Approaches to Supporting Today’s Artists. The project will include research, sharing best practices at the annual conference and the South-Southwest regional meeting, and a publication of case studies.
Community Musicworks Providence, RI $20,000 CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music To support free music education and performance programs targeted to reach at-risk children and youth. The Providence String Quartet will be in residence to teach and mentor students as well as perform in its downtown storefront facility and in other community venues.
Community Musicworks Providence, RI $10,000 CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music To support performances of American chamber music by the Providence String Quartet, with related educational activities. Repertoire to be featured includes String Quartet No. 2 by Charles Ives, String Quartet Opus 11 by Samuel Barber, Different Trains by Steve Reich, and Physical Property by Steve Mackey.
FirstWorks Providence, RI $15,000 CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting To support the production of FirstWorks Festival 2010. Discounted admissions will be offered to a series of New England performance premieres extended into communities through forums, workshops, master classes, and school programs.
FirstWorks Providence, RI $60,000 CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting To support Celebrating Ailey: Dance and Music. The project will explore the legacy of choreographer Alvin Ailey through residency activities and presentations of dance, music, and film screenings.
Project New Urban Arts Providence, RI $25,000 CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Visual Arts To support the Arts Mentoring Fellowship Program. Two visual artists will receive a monthly stipend for a nine-month period, a storefront studio, and exhibition opportunities in exchange for mentoring emerging artists and conducting arts workshops for youth.
Providence City Arts for Youth, Inc. (aka CityArts) Providence, RI $20,000 CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts To support the Community Youth Arts Program. Urban youth will receive free access to intensive studio arts instruction in a variety of disciplines during after-school hours and in the summer.
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Providence, RI $818,500 CATEGORY: Partnership FIELD/DISCIPLINE: State & Regional To support Partnership Agreement activities.
RiverzEdge Arts Project, Inc. Woonsocket, RI $15,000 CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts To support a studio arts and design apprenticeship program for underserved youth (ages 12 to 19) in northern Rhode Island. Students will work with professional artists to create art in the apprentice program and learn arts marketing skills.
Silk Road Project, Inc. (Consortium) Providence, RI $75,000 CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music To support Silk Road Connect, an educational initiative in New York City public middle schools. In partnership with Music Forward, Inc., the program will culminate in the creation and presentation of Indigo: An Imaginary Journey, a free public performance with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.
Number of Grants: 10 Total Amount: $1,108,500