Category: About Us

Public Feedback for New General Operating Support Program – let us know what you think!

Public Feedback for New General Operating Support Program – let us know what you think!

Todd Trebour

In light of our strategic plan and values statement, the Governor-appointed Council which oversees RISCA had asked RISCA staff to reassess and – in some cases – restructure our grant programs to accurately reflect our newly articulated agency values and priorities. The first grant program RISCA restructured is our Investments in Arts and Culture (IAC) general operating support program for organizations. This reenvisioned program will be instituted starting April 2022 for the 2023 state fiscal year and will now be called the General Operating Support for Organizations (GOS) program.

To develop these new program guidelines, RISCA was guided by a Working Group comprised of 22 organizations from around the Ocean State (see CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE WORKING GROUP? section for more information below). At this point in the process, we would like to hear your thoughts on the draft guidelines for the GOS program.

WHY SHOULD I GIVE FEEDBACK?

In an effort to reflect our values of transparency, RISCA organized a Working Group to provide direct public input during the drafting process for this grant program – typically this phase of developing a program would be done by staff without direct public input. The public feedback phase is typically done for all new grant programs. We want this new program to be as relevant and effective for Rhode Island as possible – which means we need to hear from you!

HOW DO I GIVE FEEDBACK?

A copy of the new draft guidelines is available as a PDF here. When you are ready to provide feedback, you will use this survey – see the instructions within the survey for more details. If you are unable to input your responses into the survey for any reason, or if you need a copy of the guidelines in a format readable by screen readers or in a different language, please contact Todd Trebour, Organizations Program Director, at todd.trebour@arts.ri.gov. Todd will be happy to assist you.

Providing us feedback within the survey is important, as we will share the written feedback with RISCA’s Governing Council. To answer any questions you might have before answering the survey, we are hosting three Q & A sessions. While you do not need to attend these sessions in order to provide feedback, we do recommend attending one:

  • Q & A Information Session #1: Friday, February 26, 12 – 1:30 pm. Join the call via this link here.
  • Q & A Information Session #2: Thursday, March 11, 10 – 11:30 am. Join the call via this link here.
  • Q & A Information Session #3: Wednesday, March 17, 9:30 – 11:00 am. Join the call via this link here.

The feedback survey will be open until end of day March 17, 2021.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY FEEDBACK?

All survey responses will be compiled. Written responses to feedback will be crafted by RISCA staff and shared with you, as well as the Council that governs RISCA. In their final review of the new guidelines in late spring, RISCA’s Governing Council will consider feedback – and RISCA staff’s responses to the feedback – in their final editing and approval of this program.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE WORKING GROUP?

In February 2020, RISCA’s Governor-appointed Council leadership approved a timeline and process for the restructure of the IAC general operating support program. In particular, RISCA’s Governor-appointed Council wanted to ensure that RISCA’s support of arts and culture organizations affirms our values of equity and access.

As a part of the process, Organizations Program Director Todd Trebour stewarded a Working Group that helped vet and devise strategies for achieving goals of the program within the context of the new strategic plan, new values statement, and the Governing Council’s directive.

The Working Group met four times between May – October 2020. Consisting of 36 people from 22 RI-based arts and culture organizations around the Ocean State, participating organizations varied in size, communities served, and artistic discipline/cultural tradition. The Working Group consisted of organizations in the current IAC program, as well as current cohort and alumni organizations of the Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program:

  • Arts Equity RI (formerly VSA Arts).
  • Chorus of Westerly.
  • City of Providence, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism.
  • Community MusicWorks.
  • Eastern Medicine Singers.
  • Hera Gallery.
  • India Association of Rhode Island.
  • Island Moving Company.
  • Kingston Chamber Music Festival.
  • Manton Avenue Project.
  • New Urban Arts.
  • Oasis International.
  • Providence CityArts for Youth.
  • Rhode Island Black Storytellers.
  • Rhode Island Latino Arts.
  • RI Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School.
  • Riverzedge Arts.
  • Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre.
  • Teatro ECAS.
  • Trinity Repertory Company.

Have any questions? Please contact Organizations Program Director Todd Trebour at todd.trebour@arts.ri.gov.

RISCA staff to assist in navigating the grant application process; Deadline is April 1

fayezuckerman
Help includes workshops, drop-in office hours and one-on-ones 

Our helpful and friendly RISCA staff can assist you with your grant application needs. We are offering grant writing and budgeting workshops, drop-in hours, and more during February and March so you can meet our April 1 deadline. In addition, we are available to  meet with you about your grant ideas.

During our workshops, we offer an overview of our major grant programs, and you’ll have time to ask questions and meet with program staff.

If you’re new to submitting a grant application to RISCA, or just want a refresher on the “good and less good” of grant writing, join us for one of our virtual meetings. 

Workshops

The following grant writing/budgeting workshops have been scheduled:
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., click here to register. 
  • Tuesday, March 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., click here to register.

You can see a copy of the Grant Workshop PowerPoint Presentation here. A copy of an example Grant Budget is available here. 

Open Drop-in Office Hours on Zoom 

Need last-minute help with your RISCA grant? Or, do you need a place to write and get your questions answered at the same time? RISCA staff will be there during drop-in virtual office hours to answer questions; help with technology; read drafts; or support whatever other needs you may have. Virtual Zoom drop-in office hours are as follows: 

  • Wednesday, March 24, 4-6 p.m., Click here to register.
  • Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m. – noon, click here to register.
  • Wednesday, March 31, 9 a.m.-6p.m., click here to register.
  • Thursday, April 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., click here to register.

How to schedule a one-on-one meeting

Arts Access Grant 

Todd Trebour, Organizations Program Director, will be holding one-on-one virtual meetings for non-profit organizations interested in Arts Access Grants organizations. He will answer any questions you have about the grant program. He can also help you with the budget forms; review any specific answers you’ve written; or any other assistance you need with your grant application.

You can sign up for either a 30 minute or 1-hour meeting slot. To schedule a meeting with Todd, click here. 

If none of the dates or times listed works for you, email Todd at todd.trebour@arts.ri.gov for alternate date/time.

Project Grants for Education and Project Grants in Education for Individuals

Maggie Anderson, Director of Arts In Education, will be holding one-on-one meetings for non-profit organizations, artists and schools interested in Project Grants in Education and Project Grants in Education for Individual.

You can sign up for a 1 hour slot, and ask her any specific questions you have about the grant program. She can also help you with the budget forms; review any specific answers you’ve written; or assist you need with your grant application.

Maggie is scheduling appointments for February 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26; March 3, 4 and 5, between 9 am and 2 pm. To arrange an appointment, email Maggie Anderson at Maggie.Anderson@arts.ri.gov. 

Project Grants for Individuals

Mollie Flanagan, Individual Artists Program Director, will be holding one-on-one virtual meetings for artists interested in project Grants for Individuals. She will be answering any questions you have about the grant program.

You can sign up for either a 30 minute or 1-hour meeting slot. To attend a meeting with Mollie, click here.

New Round of COVID-19 Relief Funds Now Available to Artists and Arts and Culture Organizations 

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Application deadline for all programs is Tuesday, December 15, at 8pm.
 
RISCA announced a new round of grant funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) earmarked for arts and culture organizations.
 
For artists, the funds will be distributed through the Artist Relief Fund. Click here to learn more and to apply.
 
For arts and culture organizations, the funds will be distributed through three programs. Click on the link to each program to learn more:
The new funding will help organizations and artists endure the continued economic hardships caused by the spread of COVID-19. The funds will save jobs in the arts sector and keep the doors open to these organizations. All of which add value to Rhode Island’s economy and the creative life of our communities.
 
The application deadline for all programs is Tuesday (Dec. 15) at 8pm.
 
Because of the rapidly approaching deadline, RISCA staff members are available to help you with the application. For the program you are interested in applying to, be sure to read through the guidelines and the FAQs linked in the guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing the materials, contact the RISCA staff member who is managing the program.
 
Read more about the new CRF funding, click here.