students take center stage
FirstWorks Arts Education aims to help students succeed in school, life, and work. We combine the power of the arts with experiential learning serving both students, their families, and educators. Reaching diverse neighborhoods and low-income families, most of our students are from under-resourced districts. Our education program provides them with access to performing arts experiences from around the world.
Connecting Art with Audiences
FirstWorks Arts Education aims to help students succeed in school, life, and work. We combine the power of the arts with experiential learning serving both students, their families, and educators. Reaching diverse neighborhoods and low-income families, the majority of our students are from under-resourced districts. For many, our education program is their first performing arts experience.
Our program strives to address Rhode Island’s education crisis and create systemic change in classrooms through the arts and arts-based learning. Building deep, ongoing relationships with over 40 public and charter schools across Rhode Island, we help fill the gap left from severe public spending cuts.
Technology is integral to our expanding program. Launched in 2009, we have grown to serve over 5,000 in-person students and more than three times that virtually. We are committed to re-engaging thousands of students set back by COVID, motivating teachers, and supporting hybrid learning with educational supports that school budgets may lack. Even beyond COVID, we will continue to build our technological resources to strengthen the program and expand our impact on the community.
- Virtual Learning
- In-school learning
- Performances for Youth
- Artist Talks/Community Programs
- Professional Development
- Core school partnerships
Technology is integral to our expanding program. Launched in 2009, we have grown to serve over 5,000 in-person students and more than three times that virtually. We are committed to re-engaging thousands of students set back by COVID, motivating teachers, and supporting hybrid learning with educational supports that school budgets may lack. Even beyond Covid, we will continue to build our technological resources to strengthen the program and expand our impact on the community.
- Virtual Learning
- In-school learning
- Performances for Youth
- Artist Talks/Community Programs
- Professional Development
- Core school partnerships
Contact our Education Department:
Virtual Learning Series
Welcome Educators, Students, and Parents! Light a fire for learning through the arts that carries students through their academic life and beyond. Discover a rich, continuously expanding collection of virtual performances and lessons featuring world-class musicians, dancers, theatre artists, and thinkers.
Learning Library
Discover unique virtual content featuring world-class artists, on-demand performances, and digital learning lessons aligned to core curricula standards.
For Teachers
FirstWorks’ Professional Development program provides the tools for educators to teach utilizing the arts. In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education, we offer a variety of accredited workshops to continue to bring arts into the classroom.