Randall Rosenbaum of the Rhode Island State Council of the Arts presents Lisa Randall, executive director of the arts center, with a $58,000 grant. Photo by Joyce Gervasio
Once a garage used to repair boats, the building at 18 Valley St. is a shell of its former self.
The Jamestown Arts Center, however, isn’t done with its transformation.
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts awarded the arts center $58,000 to continue its renovations of the property. According to marketing director Jess George, the center will use the money to build storage space, install air conditioning, upgrade the boiler, paint the exterior, and replace the two garage doors.
“Our cultural infrastructure is critically important to our state’s economy,” said Randall Rosenbaum, executive director of the state arts council. He announced $4.2 million in grants at an awards ceremony Jan. 11 at the Greenwich Odeum. “These museums, galleries and performance spaces serve Rhode Islanders, attract visitors to our state, and contribute to the local economy in many significant ways.”
Because the arts center received a matching grant, it will have to raise $58,000 to secure the state aid. George said the center is planning to launch a capital campaign in the near future to raise that money.