Connecting Art with Audiences

FirstWorks’ mission is to enrich Rhode Island’s cultural, educational, and economic vitality by engaging diverse audiences with world-class performing arts and education.

Connecting Art with Audiences

FirstWorks’ mission is to enrich Rhode Island’s cultural, educational, and economic vitality by engaging diverse audiences with world-class performing arts and education.

Now in our 20th year, we provide arts access and experiences to all audiences by…

AMPLIFYING diverse voices and celebrating differences

STRENGTHENING Rhode Island’s cultural fabric

ENGAGING artists, audiences, and students

EMPOWERING youth as creators, learners, and leaders

experience

Experience Artistic Excellence

Be uplifted by world-class artists, immersive experiences, and astounding performances on our live and virtual stages.

A man in a green beanie sits looking over his left shoulder. He holds in his right hand a string instrument and a staff in his left hand. A metal drum hangs from a strap around his torso.
A man in flowing black robes with red details spins with his right arm held high over his head and his left arm held out in front

Future Folklore with Karim Nagi

KARIM NAGI creates a future folklore. He weaves Arab tradition with a borderless exploration. His traditional Arabic music and dance emanate brightly, reworking into an original expression of diaspora folklore.
Learn more

Learn

EXPERIENCE

Experience Artistic Excellence

Be uplifted by world-class artists, immersive experiences, and astounding performances on our live and virtual stages.

Future Folklore with Karim Nagi

A man in a green beanie sits looking over his left shoulder. He holds in his right hand a string instrument and a staff in his left hand. A metal drum hangs from a strap around his torso.

KARIM NAGI creates a future folklore. He weaves Arab tradition with a borderless exploration. His traditional Arabic music and dance emanate brightly, reworking into an original expression of diaspora folklore. Learn more

LEARN

We’re Teaching Kids to Dream with Their Eyes Wide Open

Youth need art to thrive. Engaging thousands of Rhode Island students and their teachers each year, we ignite creative learning by providing schools access to teaching artists, performances and an online platform for arts education. Our education program also offers professional development and lesson plans geared towards integrating the arts into classrooms.

We’re Teaching Kids to Dream with Their Eyes Wide Open

Youth need art to thrive. Engaging thousands of Rhode Island students and their teachers each year, we ignite creative learning by providing schools access to teaching artists, performances and an online platform for arts education. Our education program also offers professional development and lesson plans geared towards integrating the arts into classrooms.

support

Help Lift Rhode Island Through Culture, Creativity and Community

Be part of making the arts available to all. We can only continue to ignite creativity, break down barriers and connect outstanding world-class artists to Rhode Island audiences and schools with your support.

SUPPORT

Help Lift Rhode Island Through Culture, Creativity and Community

Be part of making the arts available to all. We can only continue to ignite creativity, break down barriers and connect outstanding world-class artists to Rhode Island audiences and schools with your support.

Audience-member-with-Taylor-Mac-on-stage

“We are so lucky to have such beautifully curated and soul soaring programming from FirstWorks that leaves us anxious for more.”

– Henrietta White-Holder, Higher Ground International

news

FirstWorks Names Nirva R. LaFortune as new Board President

Read the press release