R.I. Foundation renews Expansion Arts Program grant program

Arts and cultural organizations of color have until July 20 to apply for capacity-building grants from the Rhode Island Foundation. The Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, performing here, is a previous recipient. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS of color have until July 20 to apply for capacity-building grants from the Rhode Island Foundation. The Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, performing here, is a previous recipient. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation has put out a call for applications for $120,000 in grants of up to $30,000 each to support local emerging arts and culture organizations from minority communities in Rhode Island.

Funded by the foundation’s Expansion Arts Program, the goal, said Daniel Kertzner, who oversees the three-year program, is to help further develop such organizations.

“We believe in the value of nourishing the artistic and cultural traditions of communities of color,” said Kertzner in prepared remarks included in the Monday announcement.

This year, up to four organizations will receive $10,000 annually for three years over the course of the program. The most recent Expansion Art Program grants were awarded in 2015, with the Cambodian American Cultural Society, Cape Verdean Heritage Sub-Committee, India Association of Rhode Island and Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island receiving grants then.

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Funding priority will be given to startups and groups that have not received foundation, R.I. Council for the Humanities or R.I. State Council of the Arts money previously. RICH and RISCA are partners in the program.

Designed to provide leadership opportunities, among other skills, the program invites consultants to work with the groups and help them build better financial management, marketing and audience development, and leadership development tools, as well as create strategic knowledge and expertise collaborations.

“In seeking to build the capacity of these organizations, we recognize the broader role they play in strengthening their communities, including cultural preservation, education and youth development,” said Kertzner in his statement.

The deadline for 2018 applications is Friday, July 20.

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.

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