Community Partners
With a little help from our Friends. We are better together, and collaboration is key to FirstWorks strategy and program development. We simply could not exist without the generous support of our community. As we help to strengthen our community outside our walls, our community helps strengthen the organization inside our walls.
FirstWorks is committed to collaboration and joining forces for community-lifting arts projects. Sustained partnerships across arts, business, civic, education, and tourism sectors propel our mission to engage a diverse community with world-class arts.
Partner Spotlights
City of Providence, Art, Culture + Tourism
A pivotal partner in producing PVDFest, the City’s signature festival
Brown Arts Institute
Ground-breaking projects with game-changing artists
Rhode Island Department of Education
Creating systemic change for educators and students
Roger Williams Park Conservancy
Bringing the arts back too live audiences in a safe, outdoor setting
Partner Spotlights
American Dance Legacy Initiative
Widening the Circle to connect audiences with dance icons like Urban Bush Women, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Rennie Harris Puremovement
Aurea Ensemble
Presenting world-premieres by this local performance/poetry ensemble with superb string quartet at its heart since 2005
Brown Arts Institute
Over 30 projects since 2005 with international and pioneering artists, from DJ SPOOKY’s Rebirth of a Nation to, most recently, Taylor Mac
City of Providence, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism
An 18-year partnership to build “The Creative Capital” and strengthen the local arts community, build tourism, and co-produce PVDFest
Classical High School
The Classical High School auditorium is FirstWorks’ education “hub-site” for family programs, like a Creative Conversation with global pop-star Angelique Kidjo
Community MusicWorks
Co-commissioning intergenerational music projects with Kronos Quartet, Kareem Roustom, and Daniel Bernard Roumain
Dorcas International Institute of RI
Honoring paths to citizenship with ceremonies at PVDFest and special projects
Foster Forward
A new partnership to support older teens and families coping with trauma through the healing power of the arts
Higher Ground International
Supporting elder West African immigrants through exchange with artists like Samite from Uganda
New Urban Arts
A core partner in connecting students with artists and role models
Providence G
Artist Curation to support building back dining and performance post-COVID
Providence Performing Arts Center
Firsts in the arts at this historic 3100 seat theatre including Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Project, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Joffrey Ballet’s Rite of Spring
Providence College
A key higher education partner across the FirstWorks season of dance, music, and new media projects
Providence Tourism Council
Destination tourism initiatives engage partners across the City
Roger Williams Park Conservancy
Outdoor performances series in “The People’s Park”
Rhode Island Department of Education
Professional development and training for teachers; multi-disciplinary Summer camps; and a new for-credit arts+business after-school course
Rhode Island School of Design, Social Equity Initiative
Connecting students and the community with diverse & global artists from Pakistan, Lebanon, and Central Asia
TAPA
A core school partner, TAPA students are deeply engaged with icons such as Wynton Marsalis & Jazz at Lincoln Center
The Vets
Established an Artistic Icons Series featuring first time appearances and new works by cultural legends
WaterFire Arts Center
A new creative partnership for transforming the majestic art center with live performance and a video exhibition
“From creating access to the world’s finest artists for residents in some of our poorest neighborhoods to ambitious civic goals like the transformation of our City Center from an underutilized transportation hub to a vibrant public square, FirstWorks has been an integral partner.”
– Mayor Jorge O. Elorza