PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Director of Art, Culture, Tourism Joe Wilson Jr. awarded $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to Interlace Grant Fund (Dirt Palace Public Projects and Providence College Galleries) and AS220 to support local artists that have continued to suffer the deep economic impacts of COVID-19. Later today, local artists can apply to the Teaching Artist Grant (TAG) Program that is being facilitated by Interlace and AS220.
“The local artists we all cherish are still fighting the financial impacts of COVID and need this support so they can successfully rebound,” said Mayor Smiley. “Our city wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of our local artists, which is why we’ve continued to make concerted efforts to support this important sector of our economy and community. I am proud to collaborate with Interlace and AS220 to ensure we are reaching those who need it most.”
Mayor Smiley understands that Providence’s arts and cultural institutions were some of the hardest hit businesses throughout COVID-19, and many are still struggling to rebound. These awards are part of over $3 million the City has invested in the arts sector to ensure that the local artists that make Providence unique can rebound and grow over the long-term.
“Since 2020 Interlace Grant Fund has been working to bring more resources into the Providence arts ecosystem,” said Dirt Palace Public Project Co-Directors Pippi Zornoza and Xander Marro. “There are many barriers at play in determining who gets to lead a life centered on art and creativity. Part of our mission is to continue to expand support for Providence artists who play such an important role in the culture of our city. We’re excited to have the opportunity to administer funds with AS220 and the Department of Art, Culture, Tourism to Black and Indigenous teaching artists who in particular have invested so much in the City of Providence.”
The TAG program is funded through the City’s American Rescue Plan Act’s COVID-19 Equities Program and will provide support to artists who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically Indigenous and African heritage teaching artists. The grants range from $1,000 to $8,000 and all applications and grant allocations will be submitted to and completed by Interlace and AS220. More eligibility and program information will be announced by Interlace and AS220.
“AS220 is excited to support Indigenous and African Heritage teaching artists in Providence, who have invested so much to make arts education accessible to our city’s young people and life-long learners of all ages,” said Co-Executive Director of AS220 Shauna Duffy. “We’re pleased to partner with Interlace Grant Fund with support from the City of the Providence and the team at Arts, Culture, Tourism.”
To learn more about the Department of Art, Culture, Tourism please visit providenceri.gov/art-culture-tourism/.
Original source can be found here.
