Providence Reporter

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced that two Providence-based organizations, Teatro ECAS and PVD World Music, have been awarded grants for cultural sustainability and operating support. These grants, funded by The Wallace Foundation and delivered by regional arts agencies like the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), amount to $100,000 for Teatro ECAS and $25,000 for PVD World Music.

This financial support targets arts organizations of color with annual operating expenses under $500,000. It is expected to help both organizations sustain and expand their practices, serve their communities more effectively, and offer meaningful arts and cultural experiences to broader audiences.

As part of a regional learning cohort with NEFA staff, the recipients will also address self-identified organizational needs.

Harold Steward, NEFA’s Executive Director, remarked, “The Cultural Sustainability grant acknowledges that arts organizations rooted in communities of color deserve to become long-lasting, well-resourced cultural pillars across New England. NEFA is honored to do this work in partnership with The Wallace Foundation and our sister Regional Arts Organizations.”

Bahia Ramos, Vice President of Arts at Wallace, stated, “Arts organizations rooted in communities are often the cornerstones of the neighborhoods they serve, and as we work to create a more equitable and thriving arts sector having a deeper understanding of how funders can better support their work is vital. The Wallace Foundation is grateful to NEFA and the other Regional Arts Organizations for encouraging us to expand our work to support and better understand their practices.”

Todd Trebour, Executive Director of RISCA, added, “On behalf of RISCA, congratulations to Teatro ECAS and PVD Word Music. RISCA has been long time supporters of both organizations through our grant programs, including general operating support and cultural facilities, as well as through the RI Expansion Arts program. Thank you to the Wallace Foundation and NEFA for championing the arts and acknowledging the need for targeted investment to sustain small arts and cultural organizations centered in communities of color. Both Teatro ECAS and PVD World Music Institute deliver strong and important work in our community – educating our young people; driving tourism; and contributing to the civic and social health of our state.”

Teatro ECAS aims to bring diverse audiences together to enjoy live theater performed in Spanish, focusing on children, youth, and families, while PVD World Music celebrates and preserves the musical traditions and arts of African refugee and immigrant communities in Rhode Island. Both organizations are committed to enriching their communities and expanding cultural experiences.

NEFA invests in artists and communities, facilitating equitable access to the arts. The Wallace Foundation, an independent research foundation, focuses on the arts, school leadership, and youth development, collaborating with partners to address pressing issues in these fields.

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