URI Economic Impact Report - Autumn 2020

ARTS IN RHODE ISLAND

URI’s Fine Arts Center is undergoing a much-needed makeover. The Rhode Island legislature approved $1 million for renovations in 2017 and an additional $11 million in 2018. Apart from the approximately 8,500 URI students registered for music, art, and theater courses, more than 50,000 people annually attend performances, exhibits, and events. The building boasts some of the largest theaters, concert highest percentage of arts-related jobs in the country, nearly 20,000. The arts contributed $1.8 million of economic activity in 2015 alone. An investment in our flagship university’s arts programs continues to be an investment in both the local and state economies— contributing to the University community and far beyond. halls, and set-shops in the region. Rhode Island possesses the third-

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CULTURE IN RHODE ISLAND

COMMUNITY IN RHODE ISLAND

The University of Rhode Island’s Gender and Sexuality Center officially opened its doors in 2015. It is the first free-standing center on a U.S. college campus dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ community. Director Annie Russell described the center as a “student-led and student-driven” flagship institution for LGBTQ supports and services people within URI and the broader Rhode Island community. Today, through programs such as bias incident tracking, weekly Trans and Non- Binary Support Group meetings, Queer Prom, Lavender Graduation, the Big Gay Picnic, and this year’s 21st Annual LGBT Symposium, the Center works to provide direct community support and spread awareness about LGBTQ issues throughout surrounding communities. Additionally, resources such as the Center’s Safe Zone training curriculum have been shared with 19 other higher education institutions, facilitating connection among LGBTQ support initiatives across the country. Beyond offering a venue for students and community to gather, Russell said the creation of the Center as something that “speaks to how much you value people’s lives.”

The University launched a campaign aimed at training rural Rhode Islanders about opioids and substance abuse. Using a $1million grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, URI has been teaching The Community First Responder Program to members of the Ocean State community to recognize the signs of overdose and how to respond – such as administering naloxone and performing CPR. The program also includes education to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder. The program, which provides free online Narcan training to the local community, has proven a success. More than 1,200 people have completed the online program, and almost 1,000 doses of naloxone nasal spray and over 5,000 fentanyl test strips have been distributed. Led by Anita Jacobson, URI clinical associate professor of pharmacy, the program targets rural areas of Rhode Island, especially where it takes longer to get to a hospital.

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14 The University of Rhode Island