State awards $4.2M in capital grants for arts, culture, heritage, public historic sites

THE MUSEUM OF ART, at the Rhode Island School of Design, received a $250,000 state cultural facilities grant. / COURTESY OF THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN MUSEUM
THE MUSEUM OF ART, at the Rhode Island School of Design, received a $250,000 state cultural facilities grant. / COURTESY OF THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN MUSEUM

(Updated 1:10 p.m.)
EAST GREENWICH – The state awarded $4.2 million Monday through 47 capital grants for 45 arts, culture, heritage and public historic sites across the state.
The public supported these awards by approving $5 million in Creative Cultural Economy Bonds in 2014, as well as $6.5 million for cultural facilities grants that same year.
Edward F. Sanderson, executive director of the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, and Randall Rosenbaum, executive director of the R.I. State Council on the Arts, announced the awards, along with other site representatives across the state, at a joint press conference at 10 a.m. at the Greenwich Odeum.
A total of more than $1.8 million in preservation grants is being awarded to 24 sites. Another 21 sites are receiving nearly $2.4 million in arts council facilities grants. Two sites will receive grants from both agencies. The Southside Cultural Center is also receiving $150,000 from the preservation commission. The Greenwich Odeum is receiving $28,896 from the preservation commission and $250,000 from the arts council.
Grants range in size from cultural facilities grants for $3,000 for the Educational Center for the Arts & Sciences to $300,000 for the Southside Cultural Center, both in Providence.
“Rhode Island is recognized nationally as a leader in historic preservation and the arts,” said Sanderson. “These state grants are investments that build on our strengths.”
Together, the projects represent $70,902,214 worth of construction activity, Sanderson and Rosenbaum said. Additional grant rounds are scheduled in 2016 and 2017. The bonds also included $22 million in support for capital improvements to nine Rhode Island arts organizations.
Besides those above, state preservation grants were awarded to:

  • Herreshoff Yacht Manufacturing Building, Bristol, $150,000
  • Central Falls City Hall, Central Falls, $150,000
  • Farmhouse at Franklin Farm, Cumberland, $150,000
  • Pomham Rocks Light, East Providence, $150,000
  • Clemence-Irons House, Johnston, $29,780
  • Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, New Shoreham, $150,000
  • Chinese Tea House at Marble House, Newport, $150,000
  • Newport Congregational Church, Newport, $150,000
  • Vernon House, Newport, $22,484
  • Old Town House, North Kingstown, $43,175
  • Smith’s Castle, North Kingstown, $56,100
  • James Hilton Bleachery/Stone House, North Providence, $65,525
  • Old Slater Mill, Pawtucket, $50,000
  • Portsmouth Historical Society, Portsmouth, $30,000
  • Providence Athenaeum Providence, $16,843
  • Providence Public Library, Providence, $150,000
  • Southside Cultural Center, Providence, $150,000
  • Smithfield Exchange Bank, Smithfield, $19,866
  • Smithfield Town Hall, Smithfield, $18,755
  • South County Art Association, South Kingstown, $29,634
  • Armory Hall, Warren, $25,373
  • Babcock-Smith House, Westerly, $11,734
  • Westerly Armory, Westerly, $24,750
  • Museum of Work and Culture, Woonsocket, $20,000

The state cultural facilities grants were awarded to:

  • Barrington Public Library, Barrington, $10,000
  • Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, $97,000
  • East Providence Historical Society Educational Center, East Providence, $28,000
  • R.I. Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, East Providence, $250,000
  • Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown, $58,000
  • Dirt Palace, Providence, $23,500
  • Everett, Providence, $50,000
  • Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, Providence, $56,000
  • HeadsUp Inc. for Mathewson St. Theatre, Providence, $50,000
  • Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, $250,000
  • New Urban Arts , Providence, $250,000
  • ONE Neighborhood Builders for Paragon Performing Space, Providence, $250,000
  • Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, $50,000
  • The Music Mansion, Providence, $50,000
  • The Players, Providence, $100,000
  • The Steel Yard, Providence, $92,650
  • The Wilbury Theatre Group, Providence, $25,000
  • The Contemporary Theater Company, South Kingstown, $100,000
  • Granite Theatre, Westerly, $33,269

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