arts & business council

MetLife Foundation National Arts Forums Series

Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island

What Builds Cultural Capital: Profiles of Support for Arts & Culture in Rhode Island
05//2002

Panelists:

• Ann Galligan
  Ph.D., Co-Director, Cultural and Arts Policy Research Institute, Northeastern University
• Randall Rosenbaum
  Executive Director, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
• Margaret Wyszomirski
  Ph.D., Professor of Public Policy and Art Education and Director, Arts Policy and Administration Program, Ohio State University; Research Committee Chair, Center for Arts and Culture, Washington, D.C.

The Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island brought together renowned arts researchers to sneak-preview findings from the National and Local Profiles of Cultural Support project. This nationwide study profiled support for arts and culture in ten American cities, including Providence, and was organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Americans for the Arts, and Ohio State University.

Margaret Wyszomirski, the study’s National Research Director, Ann Galligan, Local Project Director, and Randall Rosenbaum, Local Site Coordinator, framed a discussion of the trends for financial support for art and culture in Rhode Island, highlighting the region’s strengths and weaknesses:

• Given the frequent vocal advocacy efforts of Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci, many were surprised to find that city agencies accounted for less than five percent of total public support for Providence-based arts and cultural groups. In fact, the level of public contributions to arts organizations in Providence falls short of the national average.

• Providence ranks near the top in state funding for the arts and relies heavily on contributions from individuals. The researchers pointed out that corporations and foundations could do more to ensure the fiscal health of the arts in their community.

• On a positive note, the presenters found that the level of  Providence arts organizations’ earned income is high compared to the national profile.

• The study’s findings suggest that state and local government, business, and community leaders would be advised to collaborate in the development of comprehensive and coordinated cultural policies and programs for Providence and the state. Additional research is also needed to show that a healthy and diverse cross-section of support is necessary to build a vibrant community that attracts business investments, tourists, and new residents.

Providence is currently reveling in its reputation as an up-and-coming city and a growing center for arts and culture. With the renowned Rhode Island School of Design, nationally-recognized theatres, a rich array of small to mid-sided arts and cultural nonprofits, and a growing number of artists and designers, the community can capitalize on its creative resources both economically and socially. In order to reap the benefits of a vibrant arts sector, however, the National and Local Profiles of Cultural Support suggests that Providence – its government, businesses, and people – must continue to support and nurture the arts.