Passage of Question 5, the Cultural Economy Initiatives Bond Measure, will authorize the state to issue bonds of $10 million to support arts facilities and historic preservation efforts across Rhode Island.
| Organization | Bond Proceeds | Proposed Use |
| Trinity Repertory Company | $2 million | For renovations to the Trinity Repertory Company to transform accessibility in the historic Lederer Theater Center, in Providence ensuring public access for all to performance, educational, and community engagement programming. |
| Newport Contemporary Ballet | $2 million | To support the construction and development of the organization’s Center for Arts, Dance & Education, to be located at 435 Broadway in Newport. |
| Tomaquag Museum | $2 million | To support the construction of a new facility at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus. |
| Rhode Island State Council on the Arts | $2 million | For 1:1 matching grants to be allocated by RISCA to 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organizations which lease or own their performance space, and for RISCA expenses in administering the program. In awarding such grants RISCA shall consider financial need, the availability or actual expenditure of matching funds for the projects, available gifts or grants for projects, the amount of square footage to be improved, the geographical location and characteristics of audiences benefitted. |
Here's the full text of Question 5, which you’ll see on your ballot on Tuesday, November 5.
Cultural Economy Initiatives Bond $10,000,000
Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for purposes of funding for 1:1 matching grants to continue the Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program administered by the Rhode Island state council on the arts (RISCA) for capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers, museums and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island, to be allocated as follows:
Tomaquag Museum $2,000,000
Provides two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the Tomaquag Museum in Kingston on the URI campus.
Newport Contemporary Ballet $2,000,000
Provides two million dollars ($2,000,000) to support the Newport Contemporary Ballet to build Newport's Center for Arts, Dance & Education.
Trinity Repertory Company $2,000,000
Provides two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the Trinity Repertory Company to transform accessibility in the historic Lederer Theater Center, in Providence ensuring public access for all to performance, educational, and community engagement programming.
Rhode Island state council on the arts $4,000,000
Provides four million dollars ($4,000,000) in funding for 1:1 matching grants to continue the Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) for capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers, museums and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island.
