OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER
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Foundation releases recommendations for spending $1.1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding
The Rhode Island Foundation has released recommendations for spending $1.1 billion in broad stimulus funding the state is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The announcement comes as the Foundation and its partners wrap up six months of research and public input, studying and analyzing options for spending the funding over the next three years.
The recommendations were developed with the support of the Economic Progress Institute, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, robust public input and a diverse 15-member steering committee following a set of guiding principles that focused on equity, sustainability, impact, and process.
For more information click here
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Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program received the Community Leadership Award, 35 Years of Rhode Island Expansion Arts Alumni, from the Rhode Island Foundation.
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Hundreds of community and business leaders, donors, grant recipients, and other partners joined us virtually on September 13th, 2021, for this year’s Annual Meeting. Highlights include the Community Leadership Award that Elena Calderón Patiño, Director of the Community Arts Program at RISCA, received on behalf of the Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program, celebrating 35 years.
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RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS |
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The State Arts Council announced longtime Executive Director Randy Rosenbaum to retire at year’s end.
After 27 years of service as the leader of the RI State Council on the Arts (RISCA), Executive Director Randy Rosenbaum announced his retirement. He will serve until the end of 2021.
Rosenbaum has led the State’s Arts Council under five governors and is widely credited with building support for an arts sector that now contributes over $2 billion annually to the Rhode Island economy.
Rosenbaum, reflecting on close to three decades as director of the State Arts Council, said that his proudest moments came when he was able to experience firsthand the remarkable talent of the Rhode Island arts community. “We are blessed with some of the greatest artistic talent in the world here in Rhode Island,” Rosenbaum said. “Traditional artists, master weavers, painters, theater artists, writers, photographers, musicians, dancers, and so on — Rhode Island has it all. It has been an honor to support their work over these past 27 years.”
Rosenbaum came to Rhode Island in 1995 after 10 years as Deputy Director of Pennsylvania State Council on the Arts. Before that he managed orchestras in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Cleveland, Ohio.
The Arts Council board will be announcing the search for a new executive director shortly.
To read the complete announcement from September 23rd, 2021 click here
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Works by N.E. Chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators is on exhibit at the Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill
An educational art exhibit by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, New England Chapter, called Rivers to the Sea, is currently on display at the Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill on the main floor of the state’s Administration Building in Providence. Artwork by three Rhode Island artists, Albert Pointe, Riverside; Melissa Guillet, Johnston; and Frances Topping, Charlestown, are featured in the show. Pointe has three illustrations, and they are of Dobsonfly Nymph, Stonefly and Alderfly larvae; Moose; and Moon Jellyfish. Guillet’s is a Zebra Clubtail Dragonfly, and Topping’s is a North American River Otter.
For more information about this exhibit (open to the public, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on display through January 7th, 2022 click here.
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RHODE ISLAND COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES |
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Rhode Island Council for the Humanities: Major and Mini Grant Deadlines
Major Grant Letter of Intent Form: This quick form is required if your organization would like to apply for a major grant from the Council during FY2022 in either the public project or documentary film and media categories. Nothing on the form is binding, including the submission of an application, so if your organization would like to have the option of applying for a major grant, you should fill this out. Organizations that do not fill out this form by Nov. 1 cannot apply for the major grant. As a reminder, the full major grant application is due Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (To complete and submit a Letter of Intent form, visit the Council’s application portal. For more information about the major grant program, please visit the website.)
Mini Grant Application: If you would like to apply for an individual researcher mini grant, a public project mini grant, or a documentary film and media mini grant, please complete and submit the appropriate mini grant application by Nov. 1. Applicants will be notified of decisions by mid-December. As a reminder, there will also be mini grant deadlines on Feb. 1, 2022, May 2, 2022, and Aug. 1, 2022. (To complete and submit a mini grant form, visit the Council’s application portal. For more information about the mini grant program, please visit the website.)
Deadline: All major grant Letter of Intent forms and mini grant applications are due on Monday, Nov. 1 by 5:00 pm EST, with no exceptions.
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“The Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program is doing a fantastic job helping organizations like ours and other organizations/artists in RI, from giving grants to organizing workshops that help us understand how a non-profit organization runs. RIEAP serves as a perfect platform for us to know and learn about other cultures from across the globe.”
- Nikhil Shah
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Spotlight Conversation with Nikhil Shah, President of the India Association of Rhode Island (IARI)
Nikhil has enjoyed living in Rhode Island for the last thirty-five years, with family ties and contributions to the community for three generations. Mr. Shah holds a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Business Administration from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Nikhil has been the President of the India Association of RI for the past two years and was re-elected for a second term. He has organized all major IARI events including Diwali, Independence Day and the Senior Fest on a volunteer basis, while at the same time increasing IARI memberships.
Nikhil is a respected, long-standing community member with a high standard of ethics. Held in high regard by both new and long-term residents alike, his ability to ensure youth participation provides a future for IARI’s cultural programs.
Nikhil is a fundraiser for the Tomorrow Fund at Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center and a major donor/sponsor of Hasbro Children Hospital’s Tomorrow Fund for children suffering from cancer. Mr. Shah is a founding member and donor of the Jain Center of Greater Boston. His candidacy has been endorsed by all past presidents of IARI for more than twenty years.
RIEAP: Tell us about the India Association of Rhode Island and your involvement with the community of Rhode Island?
Nikhil: The India Association of Rhode Island (IARI) was established in 1975 with the mission of engaging and invigorating our community to receive a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indian Culture.
IARI’s mission is to form a bond among the Indian diaspora in RI, preserve and foster the diverse social, cultural, and educational heritage of India, while enhancing mutual understanding and goodwill between the Indo-American and mainstream American Community. After forty years, as a transitional generation, our goal is to bring artistic and cultural engagement to the youth, so they can preserve and promote our culture.
(Interview by Lisa Ramos, RIEAP)
To read the rest of the interview with Nikhil Shah, visit the Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program website by clicking here. For information about the India Association of Rhode Island click here
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Nikhil Shah, President of India Association of RI, joined In Another Opinion to discuss the rich history of the Asian Indian Community in Rhode Island as well as cultural events and programs that the general public can enjoy. To watch the episode that aired on PBS Sunday, September 26th, 2021 click here.
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The India Association of Rhode Island will be celebrating Diwali with dance, drama and music at the Bishop McVinney Auditorium in Providence, RI on October 30th, 2021 at 4:00pm. For more information about this event click here
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NEWS FROM COHORT & ALUMNI |
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Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy (PRIAA) |
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Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Center for Cultural Heritage
PRIAA would like you to join them for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Center for Cultural Heritage on October 30, 2021. Located at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 / Suite 2228. For more information about the Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy, Inc. click here
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A Community Ofrenda
The Puertas Ofrenda will be on display on November 2nd, during our annual celebration of life and on permanent display at La Galería @RILA.
This year's celebration of Día de Los Muertos in Rhode Island will be held Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the North Burial Ground, 4 Main Street Providence 02904. Gathering begins just before dusk, at 5:00 PM.
Face painting will be offered (donations accepted) to help you fully get into the spirit of Día de Los Muertos. Children of all ages will be able to make paper flowers for the ofrenda.
Free! Families, children are welcome.
For more information about this event click here
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Away from Home: Native American Boarding School Stories
November 10, 2021 - January 7, 2022 located on the URI campus. Admission is free, donations are appreciated. For additional information on the event click here
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The 12th Annual Oasis International African Gala Night
Save the Date: Saturday, December 18th, 2021. For more information about this event click here
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Impacto Desproporcionado from Teatro ECAS
Impacto Desproporcionado (Disproportionate Impact), which ran from October 21-24th, was written and directed by Francis Parra, 2018 recipient of the Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities.
In April 2020, 45% of the people with COVID-19 in Rhode Island were Latinx. Yet Latinx people make up only 13% of Rhode Island’s overall population. Why this discrepancy? Teatro ECAS presents a documentary play based on interviews conducted with front line healthcare workers and Latinx essential workers. Due to lack of health insurance, indefinite immigration status and other factors, vulnerable people lost their lives.
For more information about Teatro Ecas click here
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EcoArts USA premiered the movie “La Soga 2”, by Dominican American writer and actor Manny Perez, at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10th, 2021.
This highly anticipated sequel La Soga 2 was filmed in Rhode Island in January of 2020. A cast of local, national, and international professional and amateur actors and producers were gathered from the Dominican Republic and the United States. In addition to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), La Soga 2 will be showcased at the Providence Latin American Film Festival (PLAFF) and the New York Latino Film Festival. Watch the trailer click here, movie description and credits click here.
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American Alliance for Theatre & Education |
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Calling Creatives of Color
AATE’s Leaders of Color Institute (LOCI), presented November 5th and 6th, is a space for artists, teachers, arts professionals, administrators, and anyone who wants to expand or hone their leadership knowledge and skills. This dedicated space only for people of color will provide professional development opportunities that include peer exchange, artistic vision, and leadership skill development. It is also an opportunity to share your work, successes, and challenges and make new connections with potential collaborators. The LOCI will help shape the next generation of the arts to better reflect the communities present.
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This event will feature two keynote panels with professionals speaking from the educator and artistic perspectives. Our November 5th panel will be the Artistic panel, followed by the Educator Panel on November 6th.
Tiered Pricing (Pay-What-You-Can): $25, $50, $75, $100
If you don’t have the budget to attend right now, no worries, please contact Alexis Truitt at alexis@aate.com to assist you in getting registered for the event.
For additional information on the event click here
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New England Foundation For The Arts |
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The Nineteenth Annual Idea Swap
November 17 - 18, 2021
The Idea Swap is an annual networking event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations and artists to share touring project ideas, including those that may qualify for funding from NEFA’s grant programs. Each year, NEFA’s Idea Swap attracts over 150 participants.
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The Idea Swap stimulates opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in arts touring and presenting while raising awareness and support for arts projects and activities available to New England communities.
The Idea Swap begins with informal networking, five-minute presentations of projects available for New England-wide touring, and facilitated small groups to discuss project ideas. (Deadline to submit to share your project idea has been extended to Friday, October 29, 2021)
For more information click here
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Assets For Artists - MASS MoCA |
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Assets for Artists rolls out free winter workshops
Assets for Artists, a program of The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), announced its free winter workshops for Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts artists. The winter business and financial workshops for 2021-22 will be online.
The workshops for Rhode Island artists are:
- Photographing Your Artwork with Mercedes Jelinek, Nov. 9, 2-4 p.m.
- Rethinking our Relationship with Money as Artists with Szu-Chieh Yun, Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m.
- Taxes for Artists with Hannah Cole, Nov. 29, 2-4 p.m.
- Business Strategies for Artists with Shey Rivera Ríos, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26, 2-4 p.m.
- Fostering Relationships with Galleries and Museums with Kristen Becker, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Enrollment is limited. Register early click here.
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Request for Proposals:
Share your 3-dimensional artwork with the community! Exhibit your sculpture on the outdoor sculpture pad in front of the JAC. Artworks that are suitable for all audiences in this family-friendly space are encouraged. $500 honorarium. Rolling deadline.
Make your mark on the 10' x 10' temporary mural wall on the JAC's façade! Submit your proposal for bold, colorful, engaging, and/or experimental artwork suitable for all audiences in this family-friendly space. $500 stipend. Rolling deadline.
Emerging to internationally established artists are encouraged to submit their work to the exhibition curated by Danielle Ogden, opening March 18, 2022. Deadline: December 1, 2021.
For information on these requests for proposals and more click here.
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RHODE ISLAND EXPANSION ARTS PROGRAM ALUMNI |
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RHODE ISLAND EXPANSION ARTS PROGRAM is supported by a collaboration between Rhode Island Foundation (RIF), the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH), the Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program (RIEAP) offers funding and organizational assistance to community-based, culturally diverse arts and cultural organizations. RIEAP is committed to supporting small organizations whose programs and missions center on the cultural practices and traditions of Rhode Island’s diverse peoples. RIEAP provides the skills and tools these organizations need to grow as equal partners in the Rhode Island arts and cultural community. In seeking to build the capacity of these organizations, the RIEAP recognizes the broader role they play in strengthening their communities including cultural preservation, education, and youth development.
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If you have any upcoming events in 2021 that you like to share with the
Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program and its alumni in our next newsletter
or for more information on RIEAP send an email to Elena Calderón Patiño, Director of the Community Arts Program Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Elena.patino@arts.ri.gov
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