EAST PROVIDENCE — Governor Carcieri and members of the state congressional delegation has joined more than 100 members of the arts community to announce the arrival of nearly $300,000 in federal stimulus money for the arts.

The Rhode Island Foundation contributed an additional $100,000 to the federal stimulus package, which allowed the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to support a total of 18 organizations. The money will allow the recipients to restore or retain 77 positions in the arts, from free performances of Shakespeare in Westerly to after-school art teachers.

These grants are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a federal stimulus program designed to aid in the economic recovery of the state and the country.

Randall Rosenbaum, executive director of the state arts council, said that the arts contribute three-quarters of a billion dollars to the state’s economy and that the arts and cultural sectors employ 20,000 fulltime, part-time and seasonal workers. The arts, he said, keep students in school, create tourism destinations and strengthen local communities.

At a news conference Monday at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, Carcieri said that “the arts broaden our life experiences” and that art “speaks to our souls.”

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse recalled how the late Sen. Claiborne Pell was a cheerleader on behalf of the fledgling National Endowment for the Arts.

“Senator Pell placed his bets on the NEA,” Whitehouse said, “and Rhode Island has placed the same bet.” Also attending the news conference were U.S. Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin, the governor’s wife, Sue Carcieri, and Rhode Island Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Neil Steinberg.

To see a list of the organizations that received federal stimulus support, go to www.arts.ri.gov.

lborg@projo.com