Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island

What Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island does

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island (SCCRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural center headquartered at 393 Broad Street in Providence, Rhode Island, operating out of a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places that has served the community since 1914. The organization connects, cultivates, and engages community through the arts, with a primary focus on artists of color and the Southside, West End, and Elmwood neighborhoods of South Providence. SCCRI provides venue rental services across a 350-seat theater, a 150-person community space, conference and lower-level multi-purpose rooms, and the recently developed 1,200 square-foot SouthLight Pavilion with an adjacent 10,000 square-foot lawn. The center also hosts an ecosystem of partner tenant organizations including Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Rhode Island Latino Arts, Jordan Wellness and Adventures Center, ADEUSA, Burrell Music Academy, and PVD World Music, which collectively deliver classes in dance, music, storytelling, visual arts, and wellness, along with summer camps (Funda Summer Camp, Funda Story Camp, RILatinoArts Youth Art Camp) and signature events such as Urban Power Fest.

SCCRI's business model combines four revenue streams: hourly facility rentals with tiered member/non-member pricing (ranging from $25-$175 per hour for indoor spaces and $500-$700 for the SouthLight Pavilion); tiered corporate sponsorships ($500-$2,500+); individual donations processed via PayPal; and institutional grants from a broad base of funders including the Rhode Island Foundation, RISCA, RISD, United Way, the Kresge Foundation, LISC, the City of Providence (through PTTC), and the Champlin Foundation. Programming fees (e.g., $15 drop-in or $130 for a 10-week flamenco series) provide a smaller ancillary revenue line. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, leveraging signature cultural events, partner network distribution across 40+ community businesses, and direct booking through the website.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Karen Allen Baxter (Senior Managing Director of Africana Studies at Brown University/Rites and Reasons Theater) and led by Executive Director Richardson Ogidan, who has managed operations since the 2007 reactivation of the Trinity Restoration Inc. charter. The center was officially established under the SCCRI brand in 2014 following a strategic pivot after the spin-off of the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts charter school. The building's historic significance, including its role as the original home of Trinity Repertory Company, and the depth of the partner ecosystem together form the basis of its competitive position.

Name

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island

Legal name

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island

Website

https://sccri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island is a Providence-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a historic 1914 facility as a cultural hub, providing venue rentals and arts programming serving artists of color and South Providence families through partner tenant organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Arts Facility and Community Venue Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Community arts center
• Cultural venue rental
• Performing arts facility
• Community events hosting
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Facility Rentals: Rental income from 350-seat theater, community spaces, conference rooms, and SouthLight Pavilion. Hourly and daily rates for nonprofit and commercial renters.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships at multiple levels (Level I $500-$999, Level II $1000-$2499, Level III $2500+), and institutional donor support from foundations and organizations.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Tiered sponsorship packages with brand visibility across promotions, outdoor signage, website, social media, and event presence reaching 10,000+ people and 144k annual commuter audience.
4. Programming Fees: Revenue from classes, workshops, and summer camps operated by partner organizations such as flamenco dance series ($15 drop-in, $130 full 10-week series).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island is a nonprofit cultural facility that rents event spaces (a 350-seat theater, 150-person community room, conference rooms, lower-level multi-purpose rooms, and the SouthLight Pavilion with lawn) to community members, nonprofits, and commercial renters. It also hosts partner-operated arts programming including dance classes, music instruction, storytelling, wellness workshops, summer camps, and cultural exhibitions serving artists of color and South Providence neighborhoods.

Product overview

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island is a nonprofit cultural venue that provides space rentals and arts programming. The organization offers multiple venue rental options including a 350-seat theater, a 150-person community space, conference rooms, lower-level multi-purpose rooms, and the SouthLight Pavilion with adjacent lawn. The center also hosts partner programs including La Galería del Barrio art gallery, RILatinoArts Youth Art Camp, and Funda Story Camp. Spaces are available for rent to community members and organizations for events, performances, classes, and gatherings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theater Venue Rental 350-seat theater space suitable for performances, screenings, and presentations, available for hourly rental to nonprofit and commercial renters.
• Community Space Rental Community gathering space with capacity for up to 150 people, featuring stage, kitchen access, hardwood floors, and projection capabilities; available for hourly rental.
• SouthLight Pavilion and Lawn Rental 1,200 square-foot luminous pavilion with polycarbonate cladding and 24 swing doors, adjacent to a 10,000 square-foot lawn; used for events and educational programming with differentiated nonprofit and commercial pricing.
• Conference Room Rental Meeting space with approximately 15-20 person capacity, available for hourly rental with technical equipment upon request.
• Lower Level Multi-Purpose Rooms Rental Multi-purpose rooms (101, 102, 103) with 10-25 person capacity each, suitable for classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and small gatherings with kitchen access.
• Flamenco Dance Classes Partner-operated flamenco dance instruction with $15 drop-in or $130 full 10-week series pricing; classes capped at 20 participants.
• RILatinoArts Youth Art Camp Summer art camp program for young artists of color focused on drawing and visual arts, run by Rhode Island Latino Arts at SCCRI.
• Funda Story Camp Storytelling summer camp hosted by Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS) celebrating Black history and cultural narratives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves as home to 5+ tenant arts organizations providing ongoing programming
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization dedicated to promoting Black Storytelling through performance, education, and cultural experiences. Hosts Gumbo Gatherings monthly at SCCRI. Operates Funda Summer Camp and Funda Story Camp. Executive Director: Valerie Tutson.
• Rhode Island Latino ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhode Island's leading nonprofit dedicated to Latino arts, founded in 1988. Presents networking events, performances, and manages La Galería del Barrio gallery at SCCRI. Executive Director: Marta V. Martínez.
• Jordan Wellness and Adventures CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner tenant organization providing wellness and adventure programming at SCCRI.
• ADEUSA (American Association of Universal Cultural Studies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-governmental institution promoting integral human development through education in values and cultural aid actions. Provides Healing Afternoons (Reiki) every Friday at SCCRI.
• Burrell Music AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic school led by Lenny Burrell teaching drumming and guitar to create new sounds in today's music.
• PVD World MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization hosting African Film and Art Festival and world music events at SCCRI. Board member: Ann Clanton.
• Trinity Repertory CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhode Island's State Theatre that originally began in SCCRI's third floor theater space. Board member: Wesley Bynoe.
• Trinity United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty owner and founding partner. SCCRI building is located in the annex of Trinity United Methodist Church in Trinity Square.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC): Large 3,100-seat historic performing arts venue in downtown Providence presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and family programming. Comparable as a Providence event/rental venue competing for the same corporate and community event bookings, though at much larger scale.
• RISD Museum: Major art museum affiliated with the Rhode Island School of Design operating galleries and education programs in Providence. Comparable as a Providence cultural institution with comparable institutional donor relationships (RISD itself is an SCCRI donor).

Direct peers

• The VETS (Veterans Memorial Auditorium): Providence event venue owned by the state hosting concerts, comedy, and civic events. Comparable as a Rhode Island event-rental and performance venue competing for similar touring and community programming.
• AS220: Providence-based nonprofit arts organization operating multiple community-focused performance, gallery, and maker spaces. Comparable as a community-driven cultural venue offering affordable rental space and arts programming to local artists and underserved communities.
• Trinity Repertory Company: Rhode Island's state theater company, which actually originated inside SCCRI's third-floor theater space. Comparable as a Providence-based performing-arts presenter occupying historic facilities and serving overlapping audiences.
• FirstWorks: Providence-based performing arts presenter bringing global dance, music, and theater to Rhode Island schools and communities. Comparable as a presenting organization producing cultural programming and community engagement events in Providence.
• Gamm Theatre: Award-winning professional theater company in Warwick, RI, focused on classical and contemporary plays. Comparable as a Rhode Island-based performing arts organization with a dedicated venue and education/outreach programming.
• Rhode Island Historical Society: Rhode Island's oldest and largest historical organization operating historic house museums, a research library, and public programming. Comparable as a Rhode Island cultural/heritage nonprofit housed in historic buildings with rental and programming revenue.
• WaterFire Providence: Iconic Providence arts event series installing fires on the rivers and presenting live performances. Comparable as a Providence signature cultural attraction driving tourism, sponsorships, and community programming.
• Mixed Magic Theatre: Rhode Island multicultural theater company producing works that celebrate diversity. Comparable as a small RI arts nonprofit producing performances and cultural programming with a community-development mission similar to SCCRI's.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southside.cultural.center
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roots-cultural-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island