The Steel Yard received a $100,000 grant from The Champlin
Foundations on November 28 for the restoration of the windows in the
facility's historic studios. Occupying the former site of the Providence
Steel and Iron Company, listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, this gift represents the inaugural step towards the planned
renovation and restoration of its' 9,000-foot industrial arts studios.
With
a $92,650 Cultural Facilities grant from the RI State Council on the
Arts, the Steel Yard and KITE architects are in the final phases of
completing mechanical and architectural plans that will upgrade
electrical and mechanical systems, add heat and improved ventilation,
and design a new welcome center and gallery. Architectural plans within
this scope call for the restoration of the windows that are critical to
the environmental and cultural integrity of the facility. One of the
most highly visible and impactful elements of the Steel Yard campus, the
windows are also key to the improvement of ventilation and heating.
"This
is an incredible gift that really launches us into the construction
phase of this project," says Steel Yard Executive Director, Howie
Sneider. "We've been limited to operating only eight months a year
because of structural and mechanical deficiencies. We can now begin to
realize our dream of being a year-round shared studio!"
The
Steel Yard is an award-winning industrial arts center and Providence's
largest private outdoor venue. The 3.8-acre campus, located in
Providence's Industrial Valley, is a cultural asset that serves as a
sponsor and catalyst for innovative approaches to urban revitalization,
arts promotion, workforce development, and community growth. The
professional workspace allows for community access to equipment for
welding, blacksmithing, jewelry, ceramics, and the foundry arts. The
facilities at the Yard have become a vital component in the careers of
hundreds of independent crafts people and entrepreneurs who would not
otherwise have the capacity to establish their businesses or perfect
their crafts, while allowing educators the ability to teach students new
skills in a creative and communal environment. Over the last 10 years,
the Steel Yard has contributed something distinct to the Arts community
in Rhode Island by creating shared professional workspace, a venue for
the advancement of new sculptural mediums, and a broader definition of
public-art.
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