State Leaders, Rhode Island Arts & Cultural Community Launch YES ON 5 Campaign in Support of Proposed $10M Cultural Economy Bond

Previously approved, arts-related bond initiatives have led to a nearly 300% return on investment

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When Rhode Island invests in its vibrant, economically critical, statewide arts and cultural communities, Rhode Islanders all across the state win.

That was the main message on Wednesday morning in the Chace Theater at Trinity Rep, as the Rhode Island Coalition for Arts & Preservation joined elected leaders and supporters from the state’s business, nonprofit, arts, preservation and labor union communities to urge voters to vote YES on Question 5 this Election season.

Passage of Question 5, the Cultural Economy Initiatives Bond Measure, will authorize the state to issue bonds of $10 million to support construction and renovation projects at arts and cultural organizations operating across Rhode Island. Wednesday’s event featured support from Governor Dan McKee, Treasurer James Diossa and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. Several additional leaders from the Rhode Island General Assembly, Rhode Island Commerce, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council and other organizations also voiced their support.

“Rhode Island’s diverse arts and cultural community is a job-creating engine that improves our state’s quality-of-life and plays an invaluable role in our long-term tourism and business attraction efforts,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m proud to have worked with the General Assembly to include this referendum on this year’s ballot, and I urge Rhode Islanders to support this important investment in the state’s creative economy.”

Of the $10 million in investments proposed in Question 5, three local organizations – Trinity Repertory Company, Tomaquag Museum and Newport Contemporary Ballet – would receive $2 million each to support renovation and construction projects. Additionally, the proposed bond would provide $4 million to the existing Cultural Arts & Economy Grants Program administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

Similar bond initiatives earned overwhelming support in 2014 ($35 million) and 2021 ($7 million) and have delivered proven results. These bond initiatives have supported nearly 70 capital projects across Rhode Island, totaling more than $105 million spent by local organizations, with local companies, staffed by local workers. For every $1 in approved bond funding, the arts and cultural sector has delivered roughly $3 in economic benefit.

“Since its creation in 2014, the Cultural Arts & Economy Grants Program has supported more than 60 arts and cultural organizations across the state through 1:1 matching grants,” said Todd Trebour, executive director, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. “This a proven, impactful program that has created hundreds of jobs and helped strengthen Rhode Island’s already-strong arts and cultural economy. We are proud of its success thus far, and we look forward to continuing to play our part in delivering results for Rhode Islanders with the passage of Question 5.”

Specific capital projects supported by the bond proposed in Question 5 include:

• Newport Contemporary Ballet: $2 million to support the construction and development of the organization’s Center for Arts, Dance and Education, which will be located at 435 Broadway in downtown Newport.

• Tomaquag Museum: $2 million to support the construction of a new facility at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus.

• Trinity Repertory Company: $2 million to support renovations to the historic Lederer Theater Center, ensuring public access to all performance, educational and community engagement programs.

To date, the Rhode Island Coalition for Arts & Preservation consists of nearly 20 organizations representing the state’s arts, cultural and business communities. Learn more at www.Yeson5-RI.com.