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

Email to become a partner:

Marissa Hutton, Managing Director

mhutton@firstworks.org

A woman with colorful makeup framing her face with her hands

“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