Providence launches new $2.5 million grant program to support the construction and renovation of arts facilities

PROVIDENCE — A new grant program introduced Tuesday by the city aims to help nonprofit cultural institutions with the costs of facility renovations and new facility construction projects.

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and the city’s Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism introduced a new grant program for cultural facilities, to which $2.5 million will be allocated through funds from the city of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Elorza and DACT Director Lizzie Arajulo said the awards will be made on an ongoing basis and direct payments of up to $750,000 will be made by the end of this year to eligible organizations.

In addition, funds will be made available to organizations for costs related to cash matches related to state cultural facility grants awarded by the RI State Council for the Arts, Elorza and Arajulo said.

The city says applicants seeking funding for repairs and renovations must submit a budget narrative indicating how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, current building plans, cost estimates, and/or feasibility studies. Cultural art institutions seeking funding for RISCA cash matching grants will be required to provide relevant documentation, including confirmation of RISCA award and documentation indicating the amount of matching grant needed , the city said.

In a statement, Elorza said the city understands renovations and repairs to physical facilities can be costly, especially after two years of hardship arts and culture organizations have faced due to the pandemic.

Organizations can apply for the program through the city website.

James Bessette is PBN’s Special Projects Editor and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You can reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.