RISCA funds new home for Riverzedge

THE R.I. State Council on the Arts awarded Riverzedge Arts a $249,000 state cultural facilities grant to fund the construction of a permanent headquarters in a former elementary school on Second Avenue, according to a Monday release from the nonprofit organization.
THE R.I. State Council on the Arts awarded Riverzedge Arts a $249,000 state cultural facilities grant to fund the construction of a permanent headquarters in a former elementary school on Second Avenue, according to a Monday release from the nonprofit organization.

WOONSOCKET – The R.I. State Council on the Arts awarded Riverzedge Arts a $249,000 state cultural facilities grant to fund the construction of a permanent headquarters in a former elementary school on Second Avenue in the Fairmount section of the city, according to a Monday release from the nonprofit organization.

The state cultural facilities grant covers phase one investments in the organization’s five-year capital improvement plan. However, awarding of such funds is contingent on the organization matching the grant.

Rebekah Greenwald, Riverzedge Arts executive director, said improvements made possible by the grant will “translate exponentially into positive outcomes in education, employment and quality of life for thousands of Woonsocketers … as well as the health, aesthetics and economic prospects of Fairmount – one of Woonsocket’s most distressed arenas.”

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt commended Riverzedge Arts for “making a difference through the arts” as well as RISCA’s decision to donate to the organization.

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In 2015, Riverzedge Arts purchased the former school from the city of Woonsocket for $10. The facility had stood uninhabited for more than 10 years prior. Among those improvements which will be covered by the RISCA grant are ADA compliance, roof replacement, fire and smoke protection/suppression, heating, ventilating and air conditioning.

The grant was part of $3.8 million in grants distributed by RISCA last week.

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