Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

OVERVIEW: The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts supports music, dance, theater, art education, art and health, folk and traditional art, individual artists, and art nonprofits in Rhode Island.

FUNDING AREAS: Arts, music, dance, theater, art education, art and health, folk and traditional art, individual artists

IP TAKE: This council approaches the arts broadly and funds a wide range of art-related efforts by individuals, nonprofits, and schools throughout Rhode Island.

PROFILE: Established in 1967, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) is a grantmaking organization based in Providence, Rhode Island. It has been entrusted by the state legislature to be a liaison to the state arts community and stimulate public participation and interest in the arts. The foundation envisions “a Rhode Island where all people have an opportunity to participate in the arts, where the arts contribute to the social, economic and educational wellbeing of our state, and where the arts are valued by all Rhode Islanders as an integral part of life.” RISCA funds local efforts for art nonprofits, individual artists, folk and traditional art, art education and teaching artists, and the intersection of art and healthcare.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts has a program for culturally specific organizations to help expand art programs, partner with community arts groups, and sustain intercultural connections. Art education efforts of RISCA include GiveMe5, Poetry Out Loud, the RI Teaching Artist Center, and Arts Talk. This funder also supports the professional development for artists and creative workforce development. Arts and healthcare is a unique RISCA program area that is part of a partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Brown School of Public Health to explore how the arts can impact health in positive ways. RISCA also supports state galleries, such as the airport art galleries and the Atrium Art Gallery. It provides general operating support, project grants, fellowships, and apprenticeships.

Grants range between about $1,000 and $25,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the past grant recipient pages linked on the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on the state of Rhode Island. Past local grantees include Art Night Bristol Warren, Chance to Dance/RI Dance Alliance, and the Chorus of Westerly.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits at certain times. It has spring and fall grant cycles and announces when new grant cycles are open on its website. Direct general questions to the staff at 401-222-3880.

PEOPLE:

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