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Arts Day at the State House had a capacity crowd
RISCA hosted on May 8 the first Arts Day at the State House since the pandemic. The event celebrated the importance of arts and culture, and how they contribute to the development of thriving individuals and communities in Rhode Island. We expected 60 guests, but more than 200 members of the arts and culture community attended. By the time the doors opened to the State Room, a line was snaking around the second floor.
A trio from Newport String Project performed while guests took their seats. Rapidly, the State Room filled to capacity as did the overflow space in the Senate Lounge. Todd Trebour, our executive director, acted as emcee. The program started with this year’s R.I. Poetry Out Loud Champion, Emmanuel Obisanya, a senior at Classical High School, delivering a dramatic reading of Carl Sandburg’s I am the People, the Mob. The day before he was competing in Washington, D.C., for the NEA’s national competition of Poetry Out Loud.
Meanwhile, outside the State Room, members of the community had displays on tables set up around the rotunda in front of the House and Senate chambers. As R.I. Representatives and Senators headed for their respective chambers, they perused the tables and spoke with community members. Members of the community were able to reinforce to officials and passersby the importance of the arts to the well-being of our communities. This year the focus was on the impact of arts on health, education, career and technical education, community development and the impact artists have as small businesses. They shared the many benefits of the arts – including how arts participation can reduce social isolation; increase school attendance; develop critical job skills; create economic ripple effects in our towns and city centers; and cultivate civic cohesion.
In the State Room, Governor McKee, House Speaker Shekarchi and Senator Gallo shared with the crowd the profound impact the arts had on their family members and themselves. The keynote speaker Harold Steward, Executive Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), was introduced by NEFA’s Board Chair, Carrie Zaslow, who is also the head of the Providence Revolving Fund. View the speaking program on CapTV.
Throughout the program, Todd presented the audience with some food for thought to underscore the importance of the arts. He asked the officials and the audience to ponder these questions:
- What early arts and culture experience did you have where you felt transformed?
- What early arts and culture experience did you have that deepened your connection to others?
- What early arts and culture experience did you have where you felt connected with a community?
The day ended with simultaneous readings of resolutions by Sen. Hanna Gallo and Rep. Jennifer Boylan on their respective chamber's floors.
View the readings of the resolutions.
See photos from the event: Arts Day at the R.I. State House, May 8, 2025 | Flickr
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