Twice a year, RISCA awards grants in a number of categories. Over the next few months, we will be profiling the amazing artists and organizations that received grants at our April 1, 2017 deadline, two at a time.
Project Grants in Education
Applicant Organization: Connecting for Children and Families
Project Coordinator: Charlotte Bourdreau
Participating Artists: Brittni Laquidara of Fusionworks Dance Company, Daddy Long Legs, Kate Hanson of The Gamm Theater, Sharon Cole-Cox, Jamie Beaudry, Beth Starring, Vicenta Partridge
Project: Woonsocket High School Afterschool Arts, taught by RISCA roster artists and other qualified instructors, will increase access to high-quality, curriculum-based arts learning, open new possibilities, and improve related fine arts proficiencies for up to 100 at-risk students in the 2017-2018 academic year.
CCF is in its eighth year of operating the 21st CCLC Initiative at WHS; we continue to make significant contributions to the overall academic and social success of WHS students.
CCF’s WHS afterschool arts programming consists of three artistic disciplines: dance, theater arts, and visual arts/design. All programming is aligned with the RIDE Grade Span Expectations in the respective disciplines. All programs will provide between 16 to
48 hours of instruction depending on the program, during three eight week sessions throughout the school year. The programs provided will be Modern Dance, Breakdancing/Urban Dance, Theater, Art Club, Jewelry Making and Knitting, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Videography.
About the Organization: Established in 1995 with funding from the Rhode Island Foundation, Connecting for Children and Families (CCF) is a community-based, non-profit organization located in Woonsocket, one of Rhode Island’s core urban cities. Our mission, to transform the lives of Woonsocket children through high quality educational opportunities and family support, is accomplished through strong community partnerships and advocacy.
Folk Arts Apprenticeship
Project: New England Fiddling
Master: Michelle Kaminsky
Apprentice: Meveline Sans-souci
Artist Bio: Michelle Kaminsky, having played fiddle since childhood, is a spirited performer and patient teacher. Since her teens, she has been fascinated by a variety of American folk music & dance traditions including New England, Cajun, French Canadian, and Appalachian. She has been teaching music for over thirty years, She plays fiddle with contra dance bands: French Roast and Smurf Truck,; and Cajun bands: Magnolia, The Cajun Hobos, and The Saints. Michelle is one of the fiddlers-in-residence at the Rhode Island Fiddle Project, as well as teaching private students in other communities. She is an active member of the RISCA teaching artist roster, and a Master Artist, and has had been a Master/Apprenticeship teacher 9 times, as well as doing artist-in residences, and teacher training workshops. Michelle has directed and taught at the Cajun Music Camp at the Rhythm and Roots Festival for the last twelve years. During the early part of the day, Michelle teaches early-child music at preschools.