Mayor Smiley, ACT Announce 2025 Project Fund Awardees  

 28 Providence Grantees to Receive Funding for Arts and Community Programs

PROVIDENCE, RI— Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism announced the first round of 2025 Project Fund awardees, delivering $82,500 to 28 artists and organizations that enrich Providence’s cultural landscape and foster community engagement throughout the city. Funded projects span diverse artistic disciplines, celebrate cultural heritage, and provide inclusive spaces for creative expression.

“Providence’s creative capital is its people,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “When we invest in them, we build a stronger, more vibrant Providence where everyone has the opportunity to participate, express themselves, and thrive. I’m proud to support so many organizations and artists sharing their incredible talents.”

2025 Project Fund Cycle 1 Grantees include: 

Community Music Works: Launching “Sounds of Place,” a music performance series to mark the opening of their new facility, promoting inclusion and engagement through musical exploration of history and community.

The Dirt Palace: Continuing its Storefront Window Gallery project, offering monthly 24/7 exhibitions showcasing local, national, and international artists in the Olneyville neighborhood.

DownCity Design: Hosting a 6-week summer art and design program for 52 Providence teens, culminating in four youth-designed public service projects.

Everett: Presenting “Open Stage,” a monthly live performance event from September to December, celebrating local

artists.

Farm Fresh: Offering culinary demonstrations and programming highlighting African cultural traditions at the Broad Street Farmers Market from July to October.

Haus of Codec: Organizing year-round artist marketplaces and community fairs to support local artists and raise awareness for youth homelessness.

Jenna Benzinger, fiscally sponsored by the Wilbury Theatre Group: Producing “Palindrome,” a unique play for the PVD Fringe Festival, exploring the cyclical nature of relationships through mirrored movements and dialogue.

LitArts RI: Providing “Building Your Creative Capital,” a professional development day for local writers in the Valley Arts District.

Motif: Hosting the second annual “Battle of the Bands,” a summer music competition featuring 15 Rhode Island acts, food, and more.

MUSE Foundation: Celebrating Emancipation Day with an evening of entertainment on the Michael S. VanLeesten Memorial Bridge.

Oasis International: Organizing the 31st Annual Summer Bash in August, a vibrant celebration of African heritage at Richardson Park.

Project 401: Offering a hip hop summer jam series for youth, featuring dance programs and outdoor art jams.

PRONK!: Presenting the 2024 Providence HONK! Festival on Indigenous People’s Day, focusing on Indigenous culture and heritage, in collaboration with local, national and international Indigenous artists, musicians and community organizers and PRONK/HONK musicians.

Providence Children’s Museum: Running the “Cultural Connections” program to connect young children with arts and humanities institutions across Rhode Island.

Providence Student Union: Launching an Art & Design task force for youth to explore and express their creativity.

Puerto Rican Professional Association: Hosting the Puerto Rican Bay Fest on July 21st, a cultural celebration at India Point Park.

PVD World Music: Returning with the Annual African Film and Arts Festival in September, showcasing films and performances from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Queer.Archive.Work: Organizing the Queer/Trans Zine Fest (QTZ), a zine fair celebrating queer and trans creators from August 30 to September 1.

Revolve Dance Project: Presenting live performances and educational outreach programs, including music/dance classes for youth and presenting a live preview performance at WaterFire.

Ricky Katowicz: Producing “The Rainbow Beard Show,” a puppet show exploring themes of waste and sustainability.

RI Latino Arts: Opening La Galería del Barrio, an urban art gallery at the Southside Cultural Center with monthly meet-ups for artists.

RI Women’s Choreography Project: Producing an annual dance performance featuring new works by emerging choreographers.

The Steel Yard: Hosting the first BIPOC Metalsmith’s Weekend in September, with public demonstrations and educational activities.

Teatro ECAS: Presenting “Las Cosas Extraordinarias” with performances in Spanish and English.

Trade Pop-Up: Offering free public programming and event space for artists through the end of the year.

Two Character Play, fiscally sponsored by the Reverie Theater Group: Staging Tennessee Williams’ play in August to spark conversations about mental health.

West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA): Hosting eight musical performances at Dexter Training Ground Park, coinciding with the Armory Farmers Market.

Wilbury Theatre Group: Presenting FRINGEPVD, the 2024 Providence Fringe Festival from July 14-27, featuring diverse performance artists.

Funded projects underscore Providence’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally rich community. Grants may range from $1,500-4,000. The next application deadline is October 15, 2024. For more information on the Project Fund, including application information, visit the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism website.