The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (“ACA”) is accepting applications for the Tinny Family Art Scholarship, a $2,000 award given each May to a high school senior who lives in Newport County and who has demonstrated artistic talent and the ambition to strive for excellence. All areas of the arts will be considered, including but not limited to: fine arts, visual arts, (illustration, graphic design, multimedia), performing arts, the literary arts (creative writing, poetry), music (performance, composing), and theatre. Applicants must have been accepted to a post-secondary arts program in one of the above disciplines. The deadline for submission is Friday, May 12, 2023. 

The Tinney Family Art Scholarship has been awarded since 2017 by Mrs. Harle Tinney in memory of the Tinney family, who were accomplished restorers, artists, and musicians.  In 1961, they purchased the Decorative Window company (later named St. Luke Studio), the oldest stained glass studio in Rhode Island, to preserve the art. They taught “lost arts” such as woodcarving, gold leafing, and wrought iron work to many aspiring artists. The family is best known for saving Belcourt Castle in Newport from demolition in the mid-20th century, restoring and maintaining the building until its sale in 2012.

Scholarship requirements, application information, and a list of previous awardees may be found on the ACA website, www.newportarts.org

About the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County: Since 1994, the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, has promoted and advanced arts and culture in Newport County for the benefit of the community. A member-supported organization, the ACA offers events, networking opportunities, support for artist members, and hosts arts and cultural events for the greater community. ACA aims to help guide the interconnection between creative and cultural contributors, and the people of Newport County.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).

He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.

Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.

In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.

In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.

Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.