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| The Steel Yard receives 2018 Cultural Facilities Grant from RISCA |
Steel Yard receives $300,000 grant from Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
-Providence – On January 9, 2018, at the Newport Art Museum, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Rhode Island Historical & Preservation Commission hosted an announcement of the latest State Cultural Facilities Grant and State Preservation Grant recipients. The State announced awards of over $4.6 million for capital preservation work at 38 performance venues, museums, cultural art centers, and public historic sites around the state.
Supported by 60.6% of Rhode Island voters in 2014, the Creative and Cultural Economy Bonds provided $5 million for State Preservation Grants and $6.5 million for the Cultural Facilities Grants. Administered by R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and R.I. State Council on the Arts, the two competitive grant programs require applicants to provide matching funds for their projects. A list of projects awarded grants in 2017 is included below. The bonds also included $22 million in support for capital improvements to nine specific Rhode Island arts organizations. This is the third and final year of grant funding for capital improvements to cultural and historic facilities.
A $300,000 Cultural Facilities grant was awarded to the Steel Yard for restorations and improvements to its historic campus and studio building in Olneyville. The Steel Yard has maintained its 3.8-acre campus since operations began in 2002. The organizational commitment to historic restoration, studio improvements and maintenance have been widely recognized and commended by the community. Restoration plans call for replacement of old and failing systems across the site which will reduce annual maintenance needs following construction. This gift represents a significant step towards the planned renovation and restoration of the Steel Yard’s ‘ 9,000-foot industrial art studios. These improvements will ensure the widest possible participation for the Steel Yard in economic, educational, professional and creative programming. This is truly an organization-wide investment.
About the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission is the state agency for historic preservation and heritage programs. The Commission operates a statewide historical preservation program that identifies and protects historic buildings, districts, structures, and archaeological sites. The Commission also develops and carries out programs to document and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Rhode Island’s people. Visit www.preservation.ri.gov for more information.
About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance, and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. Visit www.arts.ri.gov for more information.
About the Steel Yard
The Steel Yard is an award-winning industrial arts center, a manufacturer of custom and functional public-art, a craft school and shared studio, and Providence’s most unique private outdoor venue. Our 3.8-acre campus, located in Providence’s Industrial Valley, is a cultural asset that serves as a sponsor and catalyst for innovative approaches to urban revitalization, arts promotion, workforce development, and community growth. Visit www.thesteelyard.org for more information.