Five local arts and culturally specific organizations of color will share $150,000 to increase their capacity to bring their cultural traditions to the public.
The funding is through the Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program. A partnership between the Rhode Island Foundation, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RI Humanities), the program targets organizations whose programs and missions center on the cultural practices and traditions of Rhode Island’s diverse communities.
This year’s recipients are the Andean Cultural Center of Rhode Island, the Cultural Society of East Bay, the PVD World Music Institute, the RAÍCES Rhode Island Folk and Cultural Association and the Rhode Island Black Film Festival. In addition to the funding, the program provides opportunities for group learning, direct technical assistance and intercultural collaboration and tools and resources that can enhance the work of each organization.
In addition to the funding, consultants will work with the groups to help them build knowledge and expertise in the areas of financial management, marketing and audience development, leadership development and strategic collaborations.
Members of the new cohort are:
- The Andean Cultural Center of Rhode Island in Providence, which preserves and promotes the culture of Andean countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The nonprofit educates the public about Andean culture, preserves Indigenous heritage and hosts events to promote the civic and educational engagement of Rhode Islanders of Andean descent.
- The Cultural Society of East Bay in East Providence, which focuses on helping young Asian Americans find their ethnic identities through talks, discussion, retreats and conferences.
- The PVD World Music Institute in Providence, which celebrates, educates about and enriches the musical and arts traditions of diverse cultures in Rhode Island, with a special focus on African refugee and immigrant communities. The organization’s mission is symbolized by the Inanga, an ancient musical instrument shared by East Africans, including the Burundian refugee community of Rhode Island that its founder Chance Boas belongs to.
- The RAÍCES Rhode Island Folk and Cultural Association in Pawtucket, which promotes and preserves Colombian and South American arts and culture. The organization primarily serves residents of Central Falls, Pawtucket, Lincoln, Providence and North Providence.
- The Rhode Island Black Film Festival in Providence, which screens feature films by a diverse group of first-time and established filmmakers and serves as a platform for increasing the pool of students of color applying to film schools while nurturing film students’ interest in a career behind the lens.
The Expansion Arts Program is offered every three years. Previous recipients include the Korean American Association of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Cape Verdean Heritage, the Columbian American Cultural Society, the India Association of Rhode Island, Sankofa Community Connection and the Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island. The Foundation expects to begin taking applications for the next round of funding in 2025.