(Updated 1:10 p.m.)
EAST GREENWICH – The state awarded $4.2 million Monday through 47 capital grants for 45 arts, culture, heritage and public historic sites across the state.
The public supported these awards by approving $5 million in Creative Cultural Economy Bonds in 2014, as well as $6.5 million for cultural facilities grants that same year.
Edward F. Sanderson, executive director of the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, and Randall Rosenbaum, executive director of the R.I. State Council on the Arts, announced the awards, along with other site representatives across the state, at a joint press conference at 10 a.m. at the Greenwich Odeum.
A total of more than $1.8 million in preservation grants is being awarded to 24 sites. Another 21 sites are receiving nearly $2.4 million in arts council facilities grants. Two sites will receive grants from both agencies. The Southside Cultural Center is also receiving $150,000 from the preservation commission. The Greenwich Odeum is receiving $28,896 from the preservation commission and $250,000 from the arts council.
Grants range in size from cultural facilities grants for $3,000 for the Educational Center for the Arts & Sciences to $300,000 for the Southside Cultural Center, both in Providence.
“Rhode Island is recognized nationally as a leader in historic preservation and the arts,” said Sanderson. “These state grants are investments that build on our strengths.”
Together, the projects represent $70,902,214 worth of construction activity, Sanderson and Rosenbaum said. Additional grant rounds are scheduled in 2016 and 2017. The bonds also included $22 million in support for capital improvements to nine Rhode Island arts organizations.
Besides those above, state preservation grants were awarded to:
- Herreshoff Yacht Manufacturing Building, Bristol, $150,000
- Central Falls City Hall, Central Falls, $150,000
- Farmhouse at Franklin Farm, Cumberland, $150,000
- Pomham Rocks Light, East Providence, $150,000
- Clemence-Irons House, Johnston, $29,780
- Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, New Shoreham, $150,000
- Chinese Tea House at Marble House, Newport, $150,000
- Newport Congregational Church, Newport, $150,000
- Vernon House, Newport, $22,484
- Old Town House, North Kingstown, $43,175
- Smith’s Castle, North Kingstown, $56,100
- James Hilton Bleachery/Stone House, North Providence, $65,525
- Old Slater Mill, Pawtucket, $50,000
- Portsmouth Historical Society, Portsmouth, $30,000
- Providence Athenaeum Providence, $16,843
- Providence Public Library, Providence, $150,000
- Southside Cultural Center, Providence, $150,000
- Smithfield Exchange Bank, Smithfield, $19,866
- Smithfield Town Hall, Smithfield, $18,755
- South County Art Association, South Kingstown, $29,634
- Armory Hall, Warren, $25,373
- Babcock-Smith House, Westerly, $11,734
- Westerly Armory, Westerly, $24,750
- Museum of Work and Culture, Woonsocket, $20,000
The state cultural facilities grants were awarded to:
- Barrington Public Library, Barrington, $10,000
- Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland, $97,000
- East Providence Historical Society Educational Center, East Providence, $28,000
- R.I. Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, East Providence, $250,000
- Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown, $58,000
- Dirt Palace, Providence, $23,500
- Everett, Providence, $50,000
- Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, Providence, $56,000
- HeadsUp Inc. for Mathewson St. Theatre, Providence, $50,000
- Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, $250,000
- New Urban Arts , Providence, $250,000
- ONE Neighborhood Builders for Paragon Performing Space, Providence, $250,000
- Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, $50,000
- The Music Mansion, Providence, $50,000
- The Players, Providence, $100,000
- The Steel Yard, Providence, $92,650
- The Wilbury Theatre Group, Providence, $25,000
- The Contemporary Theater Company, South Kingstown, $100,000
- Granite Theatre, Westerly, $33,269