In multiple exchanges of emails, we posed several questions to Melissa Caldwell Quinn, managing director of the Newport Performing Arts Center. This is another in our ongoing series on the opera house restoration project that is now approaching 25 years.
WUN: Is this still a viable project? If not, what happens now? If it is, what happens now?
Melissa: Yes, NPAC is still viable and actively engaged in its Capital Campaign to raise the money required to start the next phase of construction and open the theater.
WUN: Was there a fundraising campaign in 2025 and how much did it raise?
Melissa: Yes, NPAC’s Annual Fund is active year-round and our supporters donated $104,000 in 2025.
WUN: How much money has the capital campaign raised during 2025, and how much has it raised through the entire project? How much additional money needs to be raised to continue and finish the project?
Melissa: Through Phase One, NPAC’s Capital Campaign received over $8e c.4 million in grants and donations, including the $4.2 million bond approved in 2014, which enabled the project to complete phase one of construction. The current Campaign has approximately $8 million pledged towards the next phase of construction, and there are active discussions with prospective donors to secure the remaining money needed to complete this next phase of construction.
WUN: What is the current projected cost to complete the project?
Melissa: Based on the revised construction budget our general contractor developed in 2024, it is estimated to cost $10.1 million to complete the theater building, which will allow NPAC to open the stage to programming and audiences.
WUN: Has there been any construction over the past year?
Melissa: NPAC’s current focus is fundraising.
WUN: Have the plans changed at all?
Melissa: No, plans have not changed for the building or its use.
WUN: Have there been any changes to the board: those leaving, those coming on for the first time?
Melissa: No, there have been no changes to the Board of Directors in 2025.
WUN: Are all permits still valid?
Melissa: All permits will be reviewed and updated, if necessary, with our General Contractor when the project is ready to begin construction.
WUN: What licenses and permits are or were in place – for demolition, construction, electrical, etc.? Those should be on file, and contain any exploration dates, if applicable.
Melissa: The most recent Building Permit was issued in May 2018, and the scope of work stated on the permit is “renovations to the building per approved plans by Building, Zoning, and HDC that are here in the office. There is no expiration date on the permit.
WUN note: Newport has adopted the state Building Code, which says if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 consecutive days after it has begun, the permit expires and must be renewed or re-applied for under the current code.
WUN: Are all vendors who have been involved with the project still on board, including the fundraising consultant?
Melissa: The construction and design team are still on board and ready for the project to move ahead as soon as fundraising is complete. NPAC’s contract with its recent fundraising consultant, Palmer Westport Group, finished in 2024.
WUN: The 990 reported that Susan Sperber of Reno, Nevada received $19,297 for assistant with “campaign strategy donor identification.” I’m assuming Susan is the Palmer Westport Group, or is she independent of the group?
Melissa: Susan Sperber is the principal of Palmer Westport Group.
WUN: When was the Palmer Group hired? How much were they able to raise over the course of their contract?
Melissa: Palmer Westport Group was hired in early 2023 and NPAC completed the contract with them in 2024. PWG consulting enabled NPAC to clarify and refine its Capital Campaign and achieve its current progress with the campaign.
WUN: What grants has NPAC received from what organizations and for how much?
Melissa: This year, we are proud to share that NPAC has received a grant from the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, designed to support the administrative and operational work necessary to carry the Capital Campaign to completion…HFCT’s grant to NPAC is designated to support the administrative and operational work necessary to carry the Capital Campaign to completion. HFCT has requested the amount of the grant is not disclosed.
WUN: What public funds has NPAC received recently, and since the project began?
Melissa: NPAC was a recipient of the 2014 RI Cultural Facilities Bond in the amount of $4.2 million. This generous support was matched by NPAC’s donors and used in Phase 1 of construction – which included major structural, plumbing, and foundation work necessary to upgrade the building to code.
WUN: It’s been nearly 25 years since this project began. If this project is going forward, what changes are being made to re-invigorate the project?
Melissa: NPAC is pressing forward with its goal of completing the theater’s restoration and opening to programming and audiences. The Board and staff are committed to seeing the campaign to completion and look forward to the next phase of construction and preparing the organization for operations as an active venue. The organization has made great progress with pledges towards the Capital fundraising goal and we are confident that the remainder will be confirmed in the coming months.
Newport’s Opera House has been under renovation for 25 years. It’s still not open.
Millions spent, doors still closed: Inside the stalled Newport Performing Arts Center
