Arts and Humanities Month events

Oct. 5, 2026

Celebrate October's Arts and Humanities Month

To usher in National Arts and Humanities Month this October, we teamed up with Rhode Island Humanities (RI Humanities) to host programs, webinars, workshops and celebrations.

This year’s theme, The Mosaic We Make, pays tribute to how arts and humanities assist us to understand where we come from, who we are, and how we can build a better future. All of us bring our own experiences, ideas and history to the arts and humanities. When we share these different perspectives, we create connections and form a strong mosaic of experiences, heritage and vision.

Read the Gubernatorial Proclamation for Arts and Humanities Mon th.

For event information, visit our calendars at www.arts.ri.gov and www.rihumanities.org.

Mark your calendar for these events

A Cultural Call and Response, Thursday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Rhode Island State House Library, 82 Smith St., Providence.

Co-hosted by RISCA, RI Humanities, Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, Rhode Island 250 and Rhode Island Secretary of State, join us for a facilitated discussion on preserving our cultural heritage.

The program, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of our country, will reflect on stories that make up our shared history; how those stories are expressed; and what we choose to carry forward into the next 250 years.

Space is limited. RSVP: A Cultural Call and Response Tickets, Thursday, October 22 • 3 PM - 4:30 PM | Eventbrite.

Free event; street parking available.

Opening Reception: Artworks by folk and traditional artists, Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m., Atrium Gallery, Ground Floor of the Powers Building (State's Administration Building) One Capitol Hill, Providence.

Our latest exhibit at the Atrium Gallery features folk arts traditions, which have formed our state’s rich cultural fabric. The exhibit, Our Shared Traditions: RISCA’s Folk and Traditional Arts Program, An America 250 Program, highlights selected artworks from the past 16 years of folk artists who received Folk and Traditional Arts Fellowship and Apprenticeship grants. Elena Calderón Patiño, RISCA’s Arts and Cultural Sustainability Director, is the curator of the exhibit.

It is free and open to the public.

RSVP: Atrium Gallery Opening Reception Tickets, Thursday, October 22 • 5 PM - 7 PM | Eventbrite.

RISCA introduces a new grant!

Artists are invited to apply for a grant related to arts and climate issues

Deadline: Nov. 2

RISCA and the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council Advisory Board (EC4 AB) have partnered for a new grant program for artists that connects the arts with climate change.

Called the Arts and Climate Grant, the program, funded by the EC4 AB and implemented by us, supports Rhode Island-based arts and culture projects that translate complex climate information into accessible, resonant visuals, stories and experiences. The grant is open to artists from all disciplines, with the goal of improving public access and understanding of climate change, building public support and participation in climate action in Rhode Island.

The deadline to submit an application is Nov. 2 at 11:59 p.m. Read more about the grant and how to apply.

The staff will be hosting information sessions and drop-in office hours to assist with the grant application process. The sessions are all online and as follows:

Grant Information Session

Drop-In Grant Support

Listing of all RISCA events, workshops and meetings.

Learn more about RISCA’s grants.

Call for Artists!
Davies Career and Technical High School
Deadline: Oct. 15

The selection panel decided that the best location for placement of the art is the main entrance plaza of the William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School, 50 Jenckes Hill Rd, Lincoln. The front area is a hangout space for students before and after school, particularly when they are waiting for rides home.

Call Details

Deadline: Oct. 15.
Eligibility: Professional artists nationally. Undergraduate students are not eligible.
Budget: $225,000 all inclusive.

Learn more and to apply.

Applications now open!

School arts and cultural field trips funding available

Our Big Yellow School Bus program offers assistance to schools and their affiliated organizations, such as PTOs or PTAs and diocese, to pay the cost associated with arts and cultural field trips. It provides reimbursement grants of up to $500.

To qualify for this funding, schools must plan an in-person field trip with an arts and culture organization in Rhode Island. The grant will remain open until April 15 or when all funds are awarded.

Who can apply: Rhode Island schools or school-affiliated nonprofit organizations (e.g., PTO/PTA, diocese).