The art museum at the Rhode Island School of Design has revamped its public presence with a new name and a new website, the museum announced Monday. more

Surviving its first winter was a struggle for Providence Painted Signs, admits co-owner Shawn Gilheeney. But survive it did and Gilheeney, a Coventry native pictured above, and his company have been busy this year on their biggest project to date, the interior and exterior signs for the renovated Arcade in Providence’s Financial District. The company, founded by three local artists, is becoming known for its use of traditional fonts and has a growing client list of about 50. more

How do you monetize a mythic realm? more

Seniors in the New Bedford High School National Honor Society recently presented a $1,000 check to the Schwartz Center for Children in the Little Theater at New Bedford High School. The funds were raised through a teacher talent show they organized. Each teacher chose a charity to compete for and the winner donated all of the show’s proceeds to the charity of their choice. Aja Beach, a French teacher at the high school, won the talent show with an original inspirational rap song that she wrote about following your dreams, which was accompanied by a hip hop-infused tap dance. more

Public Art Works, a group of professional Rhode Island-based artists working to promote art in public spaces, began its fourth collaboration with Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island in March. more

The General Assembly has named the Trinity Repertory Co. the state theater of Rhode Island in honor of its 50th anniversary, the theater company announced Tuesday afternoon. more

A dispute between the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School and the commission overseeing East Providence’s finances has inspired the submission of legislation that would permanently protect arts and cultural nonprofits’ tax-exempt status, something many of them are worried is in danger as cash-strapped municipalities look to levy property taxes on the organizations. more

When organizers of the local Puerto Rican Cultural Festival learned this year’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City would be dedicated to the state of Rhode Island, they envisioned using the event to showcase the Ocean State before an anticipated crowd of 1 million live spectators and the many more who would see the event through the media. more

On Thursday, May 30, the Rhode Island School of Design will host a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the three-year construction project for the renovation of its illustration studies building. more

WaterFire Providence is asking its supporters for help in an “unusual” way. The nonprofit organization was recently named one of 14 semifinalists in the ArtsFwd 2013 Business Unusual National Challenge, and it’s looking for online votes to help it come out on top. more