ANISA RAOOF was recently appointed as the new grants management fellow for the R.I. State Council on the Arts. Raoof is the former executive director of the Providence Children’s Film Festival and is a member of The Media Education Lab. Raoof is the first individual to be selected for the new fellowship program and will help oversee grants management for the council.
What attracted you to wanting to become a fellow for RISCA? I moved to Providence … because of the growing art scene and the desire to live and raise my family in a city – and state – that values the arts. I stayed because of the people and the creative opportunities here. Through my work as a metalsmith, publisher of Kidoinfo and director of the Providence Children’s Film Festival, I have met amazing artists and worked with many arts organizations finding innovative ways to collaborate and build community. The new Grants Management Fellowship appealed to me because RISCA is such an important cultural economic driver across the state. I’m thrilled to be working alongside the staff, helping to provide all Rhode Islanders an opportunity to participate in the arts.
You founded a website called Kidoinfo. What was the site about and how did it help families? As a new mom of young twins – desperate for support and useful parenting tips – I created Kidoinfo to connect with other parents, share ideas, list local events and find creative things to do with my kids. Launched in 2007 before smartphones and Facebook were mainstream, the blog and weekly email provided a free online platform for parents to learn about local happenings and family-focused businesses. With over 22 contributors sharing their ideas and expertise, Kidoinfo became a trusted hub of information. We co-branded and hosted local events for families and published the Kido list of “100 Things to Do in Rhode Island with Kids.” After 10 years, I sold the business to a local parent who continues to run the website with her own personal touch.
What aspect of the arts do you enjoy the most? I love how the arts can bring us together. Listening to stories in Burnside Park, learning hip-hop dance moves at Everett or watching sparks fly during The Steel Yard Iron Pour can be transformative. There are no boundaries or “one-size-fits-all” way to experience the arts. Whether it is for self-expression, entertainment, healing, education or adornment, we find our own personal connections to the work or the artists. My background is in painting, printmaking and design but after attending Ladies Rock Camp a few years ago, I am now learning how to play guitar in a band. I’m a slow learner but determined not to give up, thanks to a supportive music community.
What is the value of supporting the arts in Rhode Island? By seeding the arts, we plant a strong foundation for a thriving community. The arts help us make sense of our world and can broaden our understanding of ourselves and those around us. It serves to enrich the physical, economic, social and cultural elements of our community, as well as [contributes] to our health and well-being. By investing in artists, arts education and cultural organizations, we provide opportunities for creative expression, make deeper connections to learning and promote civic engagement.
