Oct. 15, 2024

Don't miss our Arts and Humanities Month programs

We have partnered with Rhode Island Humanities to celebrate national Arts and Humanities Month in October. The Councils are hosting programs, webinars and events, which explore how arts and culture align with this year’s theme, Culture: A Beacon of Resilience.

Sign up today!

Coming up soon:

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, Arts and Health: Mix and Mingle, 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas St., Providence. Join us and the R.I. Departments of Health for an evening of creative connections and community building. The free networking event is open to artists, creatives, health professionals and other innovators who believe in the power of the arts to engage communities and improve well-being. Presented by the joint venture, Rhode Island Arts and Health Partnership. There will be a brief presentation about the Arts and Health Initiative. Registration and more information.
• Thursday, Oct. 17, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., webinar. The National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) will share an overview of crisis preparedness and emergency management in the arts field. You will gain insight into the readiness/response/recovery cycle, learn about local and national resources, and explore what the arts ecosystem can do to prepare and become more resilient. Registration and more information.
• Thursday, Oct. 17, Open House, 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., Wanderground Lesbian Archive/Library, 681 Park Ave., Suite 11, Cranston. Join the Wanderground Lesbian Archive/Library at their open house to celebrate their new space in Cranston. Bring your curiosity, questions, and friends. You’ll learn more about Wanderground’s work and hear about Instigator/Lesbrarian Mev Miller’s recent participation in the nationwide United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture initiative as community content partners for a new Rhode Tour focused on LGBTQIA+ History in Rhode Island. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. 
• Friday, Oct. 18, BL▽CK ▽RT Fair, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Public Shop and Gallery at 50 Agnes St., Providence. Join archivist, artist, and writer Janaya Kizzie and other Rhode Island creatives for an evening of community and creative workshops at Public Shop & Gallery in Providence. Hear from Janaya about their recent participation in the nationwide United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture initiative as a community content partner for a new Rhode Tour focused on LGBTQIA+ History in Rhode Island.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, Grant Jam, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. Join New England-based arts and humanities grant makers for a panel discussion about their funding, followed by time for more informal conversations and networking. Participating funders include RISCA, RI Humanities, Interlace Grant Fund, New England Foundation for the Arts, Providence Arts Culture + Tourism, and the Awesome Foundation. More information on Grant Jam.

For a listing of events.

Robin Spears Jr. (left to right) Raccoon Quiver and Arrows, 41" by 7.5"; Weasel Strap Pine Bark Basket, 8.25" by 12" by 2"; Caiman Head Staff, 34"

Artwork featuring materials from nature on display at the Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill

Currently on display in the Atrium Gallery are works by three Charlestown-based artists, Robin Spears Jr., Narragansett Indian Tribe citizen, his cousin, River Spears, Narragansett member, and Mikala Jackson, Kutzudika’a Paiute, Paiute Shoshone member. The exhibition, Indigenous Innovations, features traditional artwork utilizing natural materials from the eastern woodland and coastal landscape. Learn more about the current exhibit.

Mark your calendar

Opening Reception/Meet the Artists

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Atrium Gallery

One Capitol Hill, Providence

The reception is free and open to the public.



Directions to the Atrium.

We need your feedback on grants streamlining

The RISCA grants team kicked off public meetings and forums on how best to streamline and simplify its arts and culture grants programs and application process. They have been hosting meetings throughout the state to gather feedback from the public to develop improved practices for their granting process.

Since 2020, we have overhauled most of our grant programs through a working group process. Now we are moving on to the mechanics of the grantmaking- the application, decision making process, and support and communications. The grant programs, and what they fund, will stay very similar to what they are now. We are in the first phase and are looking for input from our arts community about how we can make the process better. The answers you enter below are completely anonymous.

Deadline is Nov. 15.

If you would prefer to provide feedback by email, telephone, or maybe over coffee (as our schedules allow), Let us know at risca.contact@arts.ri.gov.

Grants Streamlining Feedback.

Free webinars examine how arts and culture organizations can lead the way on climate solutions

Don't miss this opportunity to explore actionable climate solutions!

We have partnered with UMass Amherst Arts Extension Service and Culture Climate Strategy to present Culture for Climate Action-Rhode Island, a free, three-part webinar series. This series explores how arts and culture organizations can and are leading creative climate action, inspiring staff, boards and community members to contribute to an equitable clean energy transition.

With the climate crisis having an impact on communities throughout Rhode Island, these timely webinars explain how arts and culture organizations can make a difference!

Virtual session schedule:

• Creative Climate Action for a Just Transition, Wednesday, Oct. 30, noon-1:15 p.m. Cultivate new narratives for a regenerative climate future in Rhode Island and explore how arts and culture organizations can address climate change. RSVP.
• Strategies for Organizational Resilience and Sustainability, Wednesday, Nov. 6, noon-1:15 p.m. Explore ways to implement clean energy and enhance resilience in facilities and operations, and find various funding and financing options at the state and federal levels. RSVP.
• Evaluating your Facilities and Operations, Wednesday, Nov. 20, noon-1:15 p.m. Understand how to assess your facilities and set SMART goals for climate action. RSVP.

Space is limited!

Workshop session recordings will only be available to registered participants.

Learn more about the Webinars

Calling on Language Arts High School teachers to register for the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition

Deadline to apply is Nov. 17

The national Poetry Out Loud recitation competition engages thousands of Rhode Island high school students each year, connecting them to great works of poetry, building self-confidence and public recitation skills. Each high school holds competitions to select a school champion who then goes on to compete at the state level. The state champion then competes for the top prize of $20,000. at the national level. 

Participating schools receive curriculum resources including Teaching Artists’ workshops, an Anthology of over 1,000 works of poetry, lesson plans and access to expanded competition preparation materials. The program is funded by the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts and is sponsored by us. 

Register your school today by contacting: Damont Combs, Program Director of Poetry Out Loud RI. or downloading the registration form (fillable pdf). Registration deadline is Nov. 17.

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud RI.

Grant provides arts organizations of color with operating support

Deadline is Nov. 21

Cultural Sustainability is a one-time grantmaking and learning program nationally funded by The Wallace Foundation and delivered regionally by the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) is delighted to offer substantial, non-matching operating support grants up to $100,000 to arts organizations of color with annual operating expenses under $500,000.

To learn more, get your questions answered and meet the Nov.21 deadline, NEFA will be holding one-on-one guidance with a staff member about the application process. Select a meeting date and time - Calendly.

Additionally, there will be drop-in office hours on Fridays. Drop in virtual meeting Registration - Zoom



More details and how to apply.

Assets for Artists fall workshops

Now open to R.I. artists

Assets for Artists, a program of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), offers in-person and online workshops to address challenges and opportunities facing artists. Learn from artist-trainers while building connections with peers through the following free workshops.

Space is limited! RSVP Required!

In-person

• "Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty with Laura Baring-Gould," Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Online

• "Portfolio Power/The Artist Portfolio with Anabel Vázquez Rodríguez," Monday, Oct. 21, noon-2 p.m.
• "Submitting to Literary Markets and Magazines with Yasmine Ameli," Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Additional Assets 4 Artists Workshops and RSVP.

Connect with us!