Letter: Hall receives $118K grant from van Beuren Foundation

Posted 2/5/18

To the editor:

The Common Fence Point Improvement Association (CFPIA) received a $118,800 grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation (vBCF) to update the façade of the Common Fence …

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Letter: Hall receives $118K grant from van Beuren Foundation

Posted

To the editor:

The Common Fence Point Improvement Association (CFPIA) received a $118,800 grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation (vBCF) to update the façade of the Common Fence Point Community Hall and create a modern and inviting streetscape changing the way the community views and interacts with the space. 

This transformational gift supports renovations that include the re-siding and modernization of the building; an addition of a terraced plaza for an inviting main entrance; increased green space; and a safe traffic circle drop-off to solve building access and ADA compliance issues.

Funds from vBCF will be matched by an initial grant of $187,500 from the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts (RISCA) in the fall of 2016. The Champlin Foundation also gifted $94,000 for accessibility and ADA compliance improvements. The Rhode Island Foundation made a contribution to the Gallery, and several private donors have contributed substantial funds to complete additional improvements toward the comprehensive vision for the building. 

The CFP Hall will be transforming into an arts, wellness, and community center for all of Portsmouth and its surrounding neighbors to enjoy. In addition to expanding the geographic reach of the hall, the CFP Board plans to upgrade and professionalize the management of the new center to enhance the user experience, diversify programming, and deepen partnerships with other nonprofits across the state. 

The vBCF invests in the quality of life and the quality of place of Aquidneck Island and surrounding communities. They look for innovative and practical ways to achieve their mission, focusing on supporting projects and programs in four priority areas: strong starts, healthy lifestyles, community prosperity, and excellence in the commons

CFP has invested heavily in arts-related programming to drive community building and a sense of connectedness. The new gallery at Common Fence Point features local artists. Most recently the gallery hosted an “Outsider Art Show” showcasing the talents of members of our community with physical and intellectual disabilities. The show, held in December, was attended by more than 200 people and represented a collaboration of agencies across the state that support the adapted community. 

CFP is also host to the renowned Common Fence Music Series, a 25-year-old nonprofit organization that brings live entertainment and music education to Aquidneck Island. CFP produces social and ballroom dances and hosts daily dance-based fitness classes. They also have weekly adult art classes for all ability levels, summer art camps managed by the Newport County YMCA, as well as two free weekly classes for the adapted community funded by a legislative grant: mixed media art and a culinary art class. They have partnered with RISCA to be a site for Assets for Artists workshops: networking and educational events for entrepreneurial artists across the state. 

Conley Zani

CFPIA president

1304 Anthony Road

Portsmouth

CFPIA, Common Fence Point

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