Rhode Island: Artists Open Studios Tour Grants

Through its Artists Open Studios Tour (AOST) program, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts(RISCA) helps local artists gain public exposure, develop their audience and sell their work. AOST grants provide $500 to municipalities that facilitate or otherwise support tours of artists’ studios, which foster cultural vibrancy and, as a result, are an effective strategy for creative placemaking. Municipalities are eligible for one AOST grant per year. They may use award funds to cover expenses related to promoting an open studios event—such as the cost of designing and printing promotional materials or developing a website—or to underwrite a group managing a tour. There is no application deadline, and grants are available annually on a first-come, first-served basis while AOST program funds last. To be eligible, municipalities must show that the studio tour(s) they support are not only free and open to the public, but also occur at least once a year, use clear signage and other wayfinding devices, and have an on-line presence including a directory of participating artists with their contact information and a map of their studios. RISCA encourages municipalities to also offer paper maps and mobile-device apps that help visitors navigate participating studios. For more information, contact RISCA Grants to Organizations Program Director Adrienne Adeyemi or Director of Artists Programs Mollie Flanagan.