U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the National Council on the Arts, and NEA Chairman Dana Gioia today participated in a conversation about the cultural, educational, and economic importance of the arts to Rhode Island and the nation.
The conversation explored the arts community in Rhode Island, the implications of the NEA's recent release of the study 'To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence', and the future of the NEA.
Following this event, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) held a grant workshop for local nonprofit organizations, hosted by Senator Whitehouse and Chairman Gioia. The workshop was part of the agency's outreach to Rhode Island non-profit organizations to inform them about federal arts funding opportunities.
"The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting the arts in communities throughout the country," said Chairman Gioia. "I am delighted to be here in Providence today to encourage local arts organizations to apply for federal grants."