City of Providence Announces New Cultural Facilities Grant Program

City of Providence Announces New Cultural Facilities Grant Program

Local Institutions Encouraged to Apply for Facility Improvement Grants

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and Lizzie Araujo, Director of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture + Tourism today announced a new Cultural Facilities Grant Program to help local 501c(3) nonprofit cultural art institutions cover capital repairs and renovations to existing facilities and the construction of new ones. Additionally, funds will be made available to nonprofit cultural organizations for cash match related costs related to Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) awarded State Cultural Facilities Grants.

“We are continuing to use our American Rescue Plan Act dollars to support arts and culture in Providence, one of our city’s most vibrant and vital industries,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “We know that brick-and-mortar renovations and repairs can be very costly, especially after two years of financial hardship for our cultural arts institutions. That’s why we are excited to announce this program, helping our local cultural and arts institutions cover those expenses and providing opportunities for new and innovative upgrades to local art facilities.”

Through the Providence American Rescue Plan Act, $2.5 million is being allocated to this grant program via a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA). Awards will be made on a rolling basis and applications will be reviewed while funds are available. Direct payments of up to $750,000 will be made by the end of 2022 to qualifying and awarded organizations.

Applicants seeking capital repairs and renovations funding will be required to submit a budget narrative that describes the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, existing construction plans, cost estimates, and/or feasibility studies. Cultural art institutions seeking funding for cash matching RISCA grants will be required to provide corresponding paperwork, including the RISCA confirmation of award and documentation showing how much matching grant money is needed. Organizations seeking funding for capital repairs and cash matches related to RISCA grants are eligible to apply for both.

Institutions seeking application support are encouraged to send an email with questions to Micah Salkind, Special Projects Manager, at msalkind@providenceri.gov with the subject line: “Cultural Facilities NOFA.” Please allow up to 10 business days after submission before inquiring about application status.

To apply for this grant program or for more information, visit pvdrescueplan.com/apply or contact the City of Providence Art, Culture + Tourism Department at 401-680-5774.

This Cultural Facilities Grant Program, as well as the Notice of Funding Availability for Special Events in the non-profit arts and cultural sector, are being funded by the City of Providence’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding. Information on all ARPA programs and projects for the City of Providence can be found at pvdrescueplan.com.