The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts will hold a workshop in Providence on Wednesday, April 1 from 2pm to 4pm for those nonprofit organizations interested and eligible to apply for special funds made available through the federal stimulus program to help “preserve jobs” in the arts. Arts Council workshops are free and open to the public.
The workshop will be held at One Capitol Hill, the state's main administration building, from 2pm to 4pm on April 1. Interested parties can reserve space at http://www.arts.ri.gov/recovery-rsvp.
Rhode Island will receive $291,500 through the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, to preserve jobs in the arts through the federal stimulus program, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds will be administered by the State Arts Council, which is developing guidelines and an application process in accordance with federal requirements.
Non-profit organizations with a significant arts program or where the arts are an identified part of the organization's overall mission will be eligible to apply at the Arts Council’s May 1, 2009 deadline.
Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, explained that these funds are designed to help arts organizations weather the current economic storm. “Arts organizations contribute significantly to our economy, and they can be part of Rhode Island’s economic recovery. We need to be sure that, with these limited funds, we preserve jobs that make a measurable difference in our state’s cultural and economic livelihood.”
Web site has been set up to provide information on arts stimulus program
The State Arts Council has set up a website to provide information to potential applicants, and to provide the general public with information on the impact of funded projects.
The website is http://www.arts.ri.gov/recovery. Information, including reports from funded organizations, will be made available as they are received.
Workshops are Free and Accessible
Arts Council staff will be present to discuss the arts stimulus program, and will be available to provide information and assistance to those interested in applying for support.
There is no charge for this workshop. Guidelines, application forms, and further information may be obtained online on the Council's web site (http://www.arts.ri.gov/recovery). All workshops are accessible for people with disabilities. If you need special accommodations, please contact the State Arts Council at least 48 hours in advance.
To RSVP to attend the April 1 arts stimulus workshop go to http://www.arts.ri.gov/recovery-rsvp.
About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency, supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.