About Question 5

Facts and information about Question 5.

Passage of Question 5 would authorize the state to borrow $35 million to support improvements and construction at arts facilities and historic sites around the state.

In addition to the nine performing arts organizations named in Question 5, the bond would fund a competitive matching grant program for other eligible arts facilities across the state.

Question 5 also provides $5 million for State Preservation Grants which repair historic buildings open to the public. These are places we use daily: town halls, theaters, museums, park structures, libraries and other community sites. The highly successful program has been dormant since 2008 due to a lack of funds.



Organization            Bond Proceeds Proposed Use
Trinity Repertory Company $4,647,750 will be used for the Lederer Theater and the Pell Chafee Performance Center, both in Providence, for performance facilities, educational instruction, production and administration, including reimbursements of advances of up to $1,500,000 expended for ongoing fire code upgrades. Click here for more information
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School $2,390,250 will be used for the Carter Center for Music Education and Performance in East Providence, for music teaching, learning, performance and administration. Click here for more information
Newport Performing Arts Center $4,216,800 will be used for the Opera House in Newport for use as a multi-cultural performing arts and educational facility. Click here for more information
United Theater/Westerly Land Trust $2,369,440 will be used for the United Theater in Westerly for use as space for performing arts, fine arts showcase, arts instruction, cinema, public television station and program administration. Click here for more information
The Chorus of Westerly $1,054,200 will be used for the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly for music and arts performance, teaching and rehearsal space, administrative and community function space. Click here for more information
The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket $2,108,400 will be used for set construction, costuming, rehearsal, voice, acting and dance studios and administrative spaces. More specifically, the funds will be used to improve, preserve and renovate the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre campus located in Woonsocket, which includes the Grand Hall, lobby, arcade, Marquee room, Conservatory and grounds, and performance, production, rehearsal, educational instruction and administrative facilities. Click here for more information
2nd Story Theater $1,054,200 will be used for performance venues in Warren, including performance space, studio/classroom space, set construction shop and administrative offices Click here for more information
AS220 $2,108,400 will be used for AS220's facilities in Providence used for performing arts, dance studio, youth and adult education, gallery and artist live/work space. Click here for more information
WaterFire Providence 3,162,600 will be used for WaterFire Providence to develop a 27,000 square foot historic warehouse in the Valley/Olneyville neighborhood into its headquarters, multi-use community arts center, visitor center, education center and arts and creative industries incubator. Click here for more information
RISCA competitive matching grants $6,887,960 will be used for 1:1 matching grants to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organizations which lease or own their performance space, and for RISCA's expenses in administering the program.
State Preservation Grants $5,000,000 will be used to provide matching funds for capital preservation projects at public historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic structures. The program is administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

View all past historic preservation grants that have been funded

Click Here
2nds tory logo
as220 logo
chorus of westerly logo
RI Philharmonic logo
stadium theatre logo
trinity rep logo
united theatre logo
waterfire logo
opera house logo
Preserve RI logo
ELO logo
IFA logo
IMC logo
Beavertail Lighthosue logo
Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre
The Granite Theatre
Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects
Community Musicworks
Providence Preservation Society
Find Your Cool
PPAC
Pettaquamscutt Historical Society
Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Motif
First Works
Steel Yard
Blackstone River Theatre
Daydream Theatre Company
RISD Museum
Bristol Theatre Company
priaa
FLICKERS