City Year Leader and former City Councilor Succeeds Catherine Taylor
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — FirstWorks, a non-profit connecting art with audiences in Providence, Rhode Island, announced a transition in their board leadership. Nirva R. LaFortune, Executive Director of City Year Providence, is succeeding Catherine Taylor, State Director of AARPRI, as FirstWorks Board President.
FirstWorks is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024 and has served over 1 million people with world-class arts programming in Rhode Island through festivals, educational experiences and performances since its founding. FirstWorks is also the founding partner of Providence’s signature arts festival, PVDFest, in collaboration with the City of Providence.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nirva as a leader for FirstWorks as we celebrate 20 years of connecting art with audiences in Rhode Island,” said Kathleen Pletcher, FirstWorks Founder and Executive Artistic Director. “Over the past decade, Nirva has been a steadfast advocate for FirstWorks in her role on the Providence City Council—facilitating inspiring moments like a conversation for students and families with Angelique Kidjo at Classical High School, bringing students to performances and community dinners, and eloquently championing the transformative impact of our work. Her lifelong passion for the arts and commitment to elevating our community through education will guide us as we continue our mission to bring extraordinary arts experiences to all Rhode Islanders.”
“We are grateful for Catherine Taylor’s nine years of tireless service on the FirstWorks Board,” Pletcher continued. “Through six years of steady leadership as Board President, she saw FirstWorks through iconic premiere performance years, the challenges of COVID shutdowns and the development of new programs to create access to extraordinary arts for Rhode Islanders. We are delighted that she is continuing her commitment on the Board as Former Board President.”
Additional new FirstWorks Board appointments include Akanksha Aga, Director of DEI, Lowes Hotels as FirstWorks Board Vice President and Alissa Bateman, Senior Director of Creative Services at Go Providence as a Trustee. For the full FirstWorks leadership and staff list, visit https://firstworks.org/our-team/.
Nirva R. LaFortune has nearly 20 years of experience in education, government relations, public policy and community engagement and service. She was named Executive Director of City Year Providence in 2023 and credits her experience three decades ago as a PPS student in City Year’s Young Heroes Program for setting the foundation for her passion for service and equity.
Elected to Providence City Council for Ward 3 in 2017, LaFortune was the first Haitian American to hold elective office in the state of Rhode Island. She is a former Mayoral candidate for the City of Providence, which she ran for in 2022. She served as the vice chair of the Special Committee on Education and introduced legislation to create the City of Providence COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force. She championed social-emotional support and resources in schools, affordable housing, mental health issues and initiatives that address inequity and racial disparity and promote equity and access.
LaFortune is an educator and has worked in various capacities in higher education at Temple University, Drexel University and Brown University, where she received a master’s in urban education policy. Prior to joining City Year, she was the assistant director of the Curricular Resource Center for Peer Advising and the inaugural assistant director of Scholars Programs and Diversity Initiatives at Brown University. She was named one of “21 Who Made a Difference in 2021” by GoLocalProv and a “40 Under 40” honoree by Providence Business News in 2019.
ABOUT FIRSTWORKS
FirstWorks is a non-profit based in Providence, Rhode Island whose purpose is to build the cultural, educational and economic vitality of its community by engaging diverse audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs. Now celebrating its 20th year, FirstWorks festivals, performances and programs have attracted more than 1 million participants since its founding in 2004. Across its 2023-24 season, FirstWorks produced 60+ events, employed 100+ artists, and reached 3,300+ Rhode Island youth. FirstWorks is the founding partner of PVDFest and has collaborated with the City of Providence to curate and produce the City’s free, signature arts celebration since 2015. Embracing collaboration, FirstWorks has fostered over 90 community partnerships across business, social service, government, arts and education sectors. Visit firstworks.org to learn more.
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