Millions in Grants for RI Arts and Culture to be Announced

EAST GREENWICH, RI—Millions in grants for historic preservation, culture and art destined for 45 museums, art centers and public historic sites will be announced at the Greenwich Odeum on Monday.

A total of 47 grants of $3,000 to $300,000 will be announced. Added together, $4.2 million will fund capital preservation work at locations across Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and the State Council on the Arts estimate that the projects represent $70.9 million worth of construction activity.

The money is coming from the “Creative and Cultural Economy Bonds” approved by a 60 percent majority of Rhode Islander voters in a 2014 ballot question.

The bonds are providing $5 million for the State Preservation Grants and $6.5 million for the Cultural Facilities Grants.

“Rhode Island is recognized nationally as a leader in historic preservation and the arts,” said Edward F. Sanderson, Executive Director of the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Executive Director Edward F. Sanderson, “These state grants are investments that build on our strengths.”

“Our cultural infrastructure is critically important to our state’s economy,” said Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the State Council on the Arts. “These museums, galleries and performance spaces serve Rhode Islanders, attract visitors to our state, and contribute to the local economy in many significant ways.”

The full list of grant recipients and amounts will be released Monday morning at an event with a musical accompaniment by Torrin Ryan, an All Ireland uilleann piper (http://torrinryan.com/about/ ) and Kevin Doyle, National Heritage Fellow Irish Step dancer (http://www.kevindoyledance.com/artist-profile.htm).