PROVIDENCE – Nonprofit DESIGNxRI named the 13 businesses selected to participate in its 2018 Providence Design Catalyst program Tuesday.
The Design Catalyst program provides rising small businesses with grants, training and mentorship during a five-month cohort experience.
“The strength of the Creative Capital’s local economy is tied to the success of our creative industries,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in a statement.
The 13 participants, including Providence Painted Signs, Wild Power Games and Tzu-Ju Chen Jewelry, were selected from a pool of 32 applicants from design-driven businesses. Businesses will receive between $5,000 and $8,500 from DesignxRI, as well as participate in bi-monthly workshops.
“The final awardees represent an exciting group of design businesses in our city and we look forward to working with them,” said DESIGNxRI Executive Director Lisa Carnevale in a statement.
Applicants were chosen based on their project’s projected sustainability, possibility for growth and the owner’s previous business experience.
The Design Catalyst program, organized by DESIGNxRI, receives funding via a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Providence’s Department of Community Department, as well as Real Jobs Rhode Island, a program of the R.I. Department of Labor.
The following organizations were selected for the 2018 program:
- Functional Aesthetic Design-Build: design, construction and fabrication studio
- J Schatz: Ceramic Products
- LUMUKU: Bilingual toy and game company
- Providence Painted Signs: Hand painted signs, murals
- RA HA Jewelry: jewelry
- Reconstructure: interior architecture
- Sawtooth Editions: Fine art silkscreen printing
- Sealand Design: landscape architecture design studio
- Tzu-Ju Chen Jewelry: jewelry
- Upriver Downriver: textile design organization
- Wild Power Games: Boardgame company
- Work-Shop Design Studios: Design studio
Kate Talerico is a PBN contributing writer.
