ACT 2024 Annual Report
The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism at 20
This year the team at ACT made efforts to further expand access to our grant-making and programmatic support initiatives, deepened our work in public art and commemoration, expanded opportunities for local practitioners working at the intersection of arts and health, and maintained the signature public events that bring neighbors together to celebrate and create the culture of our City. We are taking this year-end recap as an opportunity to name some of the ways that our programs advance the work of our PVDx2031 plan to encourage our friends and collaborators to do their own work to advance the collective vision of that visionary document. Scroll to find out more about our work in calendar year 2024!
Project Fund for the Arts
Through awards ranging from $1,500-$4,000 ACT supports projects that advance access and cultural equity, foster change and transformation, and demonstrate responsiveness and impact.
The Project Fund has two annual deadlines: March 15 for projects taking place between July 1 and December 31 and October 15 for projects taking place between January 1 and June 30. Applicants may apply for both rounds but can only be granted one Project Fund award per year. If you are awarded in Cycle 1 you cannot be awarded in Cycle 2.
In FY25 cycle 1 (due date March 15, 2024) ACT received 42 applications comprising $162,290 in requests. A panel of 5 (3 artists, 2 ACT staff) deliberated on April 23, 2024 awarding 28 projects with $82,500. In cycle 2 (due date Oct 15, 2024) ACT received 26 applications comprising $89,600 in requests. A panel of 6 (3 artists, 3 ACT staff) deliberated on November 18, 2024 awarding 22 projects with $70,000.
For more information about awarded projects, see our Awarded Projects page.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown.
3.3.A.3. ACT and nonprofit and governmental workforce development agencies provide technical assistance and offer small business supports and loans to artists.
5.3.A.4. Funders explore and implement trust-based philanthropy.
Ely Fund Neighborhood Performing Arts Series
The Ely Fund is a 20-year program dedicated to supporting free outdoor performances in Providence’s parks throughout the summer. It’s funded through an endowment established by Edward Francis Ely, the first Commission of Providence Parks.
2024 was a year to test some theories for the Ely Fund and so we limited our variables, crucially only accepting applications from previous grantees.
- The City received proposals from and funded 15 projects
- $28,405.57 in asks ($2k-$2500k awards)
- Gave recommendations on producing the summer series re: tech support, calendar, location, etc, ultimately waving all park fees and supporting 5 events with $9k (total) in tech support
- 42 separate events across 13 parks
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown.
2.4.A.5: ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
7.4.A.1: ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets.
Gallery at City Hall
In each season ACT aims to present a wide array of media, artistic experiences, and aesthetic interests balanced with larger group shows and smaller duos. 2024 was a great example of how many kinds of art shows the Gallery at City Hall can hold, pushing the boundaries around who the artists in Providence are and what showing at City Hall can mean. Of the five shows in 2024, three were large group shows and two were duets between friends and admirers who’d never had the opportunity to show together. The three group shows each focused on a different and specific community: Pleasant View Elementary School, Chad Brown and Carroll Tower Public Housing, and the printmakers of Providence.
Channel 10 Feature on Yeay Yai Photographers honor Southeast Asian grandmothers through Providence City Hall art gallery
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.2.A.2. ACT supports non-arts community-based organizations that incorporate arts and culture to support community well-being
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
6.2.A.4. ACT and cross-sector partners offer arts learning experiences in public spaces.
Independence Day
The City of Providence’s annual Independence Day Celebration at India Point Park takes place usually the day before Independence Day or the week of with programming beginning at 6:00 pm and fireworks starting at 9:00 pm. This free, family-friendly event features live entertainment, local food trucks, and a signature fireworks display.
Over the years, performances have featured award-winning hip-hop violinist Big Lux and the Hype, the Nettukkuskqk Singers, an intertribal Native American traditional music group, and Becky Bass, a renowned vocalist, steel pannist, and actor from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. The event is designed to bring the community together to celebrate the holiday in a safe, enjoyable environment.
As a highlight of Providence’s summer season, this event is an opportunity to showcase the city’s vibrant culture, diverse artistic community, and commitment to offering a dynamic, inclusive experience for all. Hosted by Mayor Brett P. Smiley, ACT, and the Providence Tourism Council, the event aims to foster community engagement and celebrate the unique spirit of the Creative Capital. By integrating music, food, and fireworks, the celebration reflects the city’s artistic identity and commitment to offering residents and visitors memorable, accessible experiences.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown .
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park concert is an annual tradition hosted in collaboration with the Rhode Island Foundation, and the Providence Parks Department. The concert, held at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park, is free to the public, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience high-quality music in one of Providence’s most scenic locations.
The 2024 concert, entitled “Our State: A RI Celebration,” highlighted the cultural richness of Rhode Island. The performance was complemented by a selection of food trucks offering a diverse range of local, regional, and global cuisines, further enhancing the community experience.
From an ACT perspective, this event serves as a prime example of our mission to foster creative and cultural engagement throughout the city. By supporting such community-centered initiatives, ACT ensures that residents of all backgrounds can come together to celebrate the arts in accessible and meaningful ways. This event also aligns with our goal of the arts can bringing people together and strengthen community ties.
With thousands of attendees each year, the Summer Pops concert has become a cherished part of the Providence summer experience. It not only showcases local talent and national musical traditions, but also invites attendees to enjoy elaborate picnic spreads and charming date night setups. Visitors bring blankets, tables, and chairs to relax, savor the music, and take in the stunning views of the Temple to Music, which overlooks the water. The continued success of this event highlights the value of collaboration among public, private, and community partners in creating a thriving cultural landscape.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown .
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets
PVDFest 2024
PVDFest, Providence’s signature outdoor arts festival, celebrated its 10th year this September. Hosted by Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism (ACT), and FirstWorks, the festival brought together a vibrant mix of local and international performances, art installations, parades, artisan markets, and local cuisine in the heart of Downtown Providence. The event’s mission is to bring the streets to life and highlight Providence as the Creative Capital.
With an estimated 75,000 attendees, PVDFest continues to be a premier arts event in the region. This year, the festival showcased over 400 artists, with performances across multiple stages and 180 craft vendors on-site. In addition to the many stages, PVDFest featured unique maker spaces where the community could engage with artists and their practice in real time. Six cultural heritage festivals also participated, showcasing their work and sharing information about their organizations, further emphasizing the diverse cultural landscape of Providence.
At its core, PVDFest celebrates the resilient and creative spirit of Providence’s community. ACT is proud to collaborate with each and every artist, maker, and community partner in hosting this event. The festival is designed to create lasting memories for attendees, celebrate local talent, and strengthen Providence’s reputation as a dynamic, inclusive cultural hub. It offers something for all ages and backgrounds, making it a truly unique experience for everyone.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.4.A.2. ACT hires artists, humanists and culture bearers to influence decision-making processes, increase civic participation and promote transparency.
7.3.A.4. ACT enhances the accessibility of all its programs in collaboration with disabled designers.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets.
PVDFest Public Art
“Public Property” by Sy Meyer at City Hall was a social sculpture that presents a commentary on public space, and the evolving nature of collective memory. A plywood box, approximately 8ft x 8ft x 8ft, partially painted gold with a pinhole for a camera obscura lens. Inside the box there was a reversed image of City Hall with a sign marking the Dorrance Street entrance saying: “Public Property.” People were invited to play with sculpture by walking / dancing etc. for the camera thereby being projected into the box. People could also use their smartphones to film and photograph each other. This project was installed from September 7 – December 6, 2024.
“The Art of Play” by Haley Peters and Julio Berroa at The Doorley Building was an immersive sculptural art installation that explored the themes of play, identity, and cultural fusion. Drawing from the artists’ journeys growing up LGBTQ+ in and around Rhode Island, the work created a multi-sensory experience that reflected the complex layers of intersecting identities and the blending of cultural heritage. As they put it “Play is an integral part of learning about yourself and those around you. By supplying vibrant opportunities for cohesive play, we hope to build connections between those who interact with this installation’s moving, spinning, and visually captivating elements regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.” This project was installed from September 7 – December 6, 2024.
Championed by Mayor Smiley and commissioned by the City of Providence for PVDFest, “帝国崛起 (Empire Rising)” by Lauren YS at 40 Snow St. features a figure on the far left holding scissors and thread, honoring Perry Watkins, the first Black scenic designer on Broadway from Providence. This figure also holds a fan with the Port Arthur logo, representing a key Chinese restaurant and dancehall that was a haven for the Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. Curtains highlight local theaters like PPAC and Trinity Rep, while arches reference the Chinese restaurants and dancehalls that were central to the theater experience from the 1950s to the 1980s. These venues also served as unique performance spaces, nodding to Trinity Rep’s non-traditional stages. Two middle figures blend ancient Chinese opera with modern drag, symbolizing Providence’s Chinatown and referencing Rhode Island’s former “Kings & Queens” community hub. The right figure honors Providence’s LGBTQ+ history, inspired by 1910 drag performer Francis “Auriema” Renault. The jewelry in the mural is a nod to Beatrice Temkin, a pioneering LGBTQ+ ally and namesake of the Beatrice Hotel. The Beatrice and the Snow Street building are owned by Paolino Properties. This is a permanent installation.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.2.A.4. ACT and cross-sector partners advocate for more public art.
2.4.A.3. ACT and funders support projects that prioritize public art for placekeeping.
7.1.A.4. The City and its hospitality and tourism partners hire local BIPOC creatives and influencers to develop content attractive to BIPOC visitors.
Providence Commemoration Lab
Funded by the Mellon Foundation and the American Rescue Plan, The Providence Commemoration Lab is a program co-administered by The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT) and the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS). The Lab sites and stages new, temporary projects on public property that invite unexpected ways of understanding commemoration as a communal process of historical redress and spatial reclamation.
ACT and RIHS are commissioning nine creative practitioners to interrogate the ways that Providence residents construct and share memory and culture at three distinct sites: Columbus Square, Roger Williams Park, and Public Street.
Nine, twelve-month (one-year) artist residencies began in spring 2024. Currently the Lab artists are in their design phase and will be seeking various permissions for their projects in winter/spring 2025.
The total budget for the Providence Commemoration Lab is 1.4 million dollars to be spent down over two years.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown.
2.4.A.3. ACT and funders support projects that prioritize public art for placekeeping.
7.3.A.5. ACT facilitates the ongoing consideration and evaluation of existing commemorative works as well as the proposal of new commemorative works that uplift BIPOC histories.
Sidewalk Tattoos Poetry
The Sidewalk Tattoo project was developed as one of the projects funded by the CIP Percent for Art funds. This project sought to bring local art and poetry into every neighborhood of the City, seeking poetry and designs around the theme of Ode to Providence. In 2021, the City selected the works of 30 Providence artists through a competitive Call for Art. The selected artists, all of whom were Providence residents at the time of the Call for Art, are: Murphy Chang, Agnieszka Taborska, Amanda Spalding Gray, Andrea Rose Harrington, Anthony Andrade, Antonia Lara Sánchez, Anthony “AM.” Andrade, Ashley Fontecchio, Keely “Kego” Fae Roberts, Ruby Lopez, Ayling Zulema Dominguez, Caitlin E. Howle, Don Reese, Emma Malbon, Harry Stewart, JanCarlos Terrero Rodriguez, Judith Dupre, Kevin Veronneau, Lu Heintz, Mairéad Byrne, Mark Binder, Meris Barreto, Michael L. Silvia, MJ Robinson, Natasha Brennan, Steven Barthelemy (Luna), Sussy Santana, The Haus of Glitter Dance Company, Tracy Jonsson-Laboy, Troy West, and Ysanel Torres.
In 2022, with the help of project partners Alexander Golob and Fourth Dimension, the City embarked on a first-in-the-nation process for developing sidewalk stamps capable of more than the standard sans-serif font. The result was approximately 30 sidewalk tattoos of varied fonts, formats, and designs ready to be installed across the City. During this period, a book documenting the poetry was also designed and published by Binch Press, and then distributed by the City.
Over the course of 2023, 2024, and into 2025, ACT and DPW are working closely together to deploy the stamps within ARPA-funded sidewalk repairs. So far, approximately half of the Sidewalk Tattoos have been deployed, with the remaining Sidewalk Tattoos on track to be installed.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown
2.3.A.3. ACT funds projects that reimagine the public realm using a racial and spatial justice lens, and that also foster collective healing while preserving ancestral knowledge.
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
Ripples Project
This strategic partnership with The Avenue Concept (TAC) will bring a number of new public art installations to the City of Providence, including a series of large-scale murals and creatively designed utility boxes throughout the city. The initiative supports the Smiley Administration’s ongoing efforts to beautify Providence and support artists with new creative outlets and economic opportunities. A key component of The Ripples Project is the creation of approximately five new murals, covering over 3,600 square feet of wall space. TAC, renowned for their expertise in curating public art, will work with local businesses and building owners to identify high-visibility sites throughout Providence. The program comes at no cost to property owners. See TAC’s call for walls.
In addition to murals, The Ripples Project will activate a wide range of public spaces by commissioning new artworks on 50 utility boxes across the city. This initiative includes a public open call for artists to design and paint utility boxes, offering stipends and technical support to ensure the project is accessible to artists. These three-dimensional canvases present a unique opportunity for local talent to engage with the public and reimagine urban spaces.
A separate cohort of 14 young artists from New Urban Arts (NUA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing creative potential in youth, will also be commissioned to create works on utility boxes as part of the project. NUA’s youth participants will begin their work in spring 2025, offering them a chance to contribute to the city’s cultural landscape in a meaningful and lasting way. Interested youth are invited to contact New Urban Arts for more information.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.2.A.4. ACT and cross-sector partners advocate for more public art.
2.4.A.3. ACT and funders support projects that prioritize public art for placekeeping.
3.4.A.1. ACT and funders support professional development for 18-24-year-olds in the creative workforce.
Broad Street Stories
The primary goal of Broad Street Stories has been to create an accessible toolkit for self-organizing, hyper-local stakeholder groups interested in creating public heritage infrastructure. Secondarily, the project has enabled the design and, soon, the fabrication of three public heritage kiosks on Broad Street. Finally, the project has piloted a public heritage design studio process to integrate culturally relevant, inclusive, and accessible public narratives about the recent past with existing primary source research pertaining to sites on and off the historic register.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.4.A.3. ACT and funders support projects that prioritize public art for placekeeping.
2.4.A.5. ACT and funders support workforce and small business training for artists.
6.4.A.3. ACT and PPSD develop curricula and offer trainings for teaching artists in social practice and artist facilitation.
AIR at Carrol Tower and Chad Brown – One Nation / One Project
On July 27th, local artists-in-residence and community members of two Providence Housing Authority sites showcased their artistic work created over the course of an 18-month artist residency and celebrating community connection and healing through the arts. Led by artist Carolina Briones at Carroll Towers, residents unveiled a community mural installed in the building’s community center. The afternoon also included a domino competition and community brunch; live jazz, reggae and merengue performances; a performance by Teatro ECAS; resident-led art lessons and a gallery exhibit of community members’ work. In the evening, led by artist Vatic Kuumba at Chad Brown, residents premiered “Casa Futura,” a short stop motion film with multimedia performances created with residents commemorating their past, present, and future journeys. The evening was kicked off by community-led processions and also included resident performances and gallery showings, a community dinner, as well as bomba and plena music performances from the Puerto Rican Institute for the Arts (PRIIA).
The Providence project is a dynamic partnership between Providence Department of Housing and Human Services, Providence Housing Authority (PHA) and the Providence Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism. The team has created artist residencies at PHA sites. As part of their residency, participating artists are engaging residents in arts activities and work alongside embedded community health workers (CHWs) to better understand the wellness goals of residents. CHWs will connect residents to available City/community resources, and the artists will co-create with residents and design a culminating artwork or performance at each site. The process is focusing on healing, social connectedness, self-discovery and home.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.2.A.2. ACT supports non-arts community-based organizations that incorporate arts and culture to support community well-being.
1.4.A.3. ACT, the Providence Department of Housing and Human Services and Providence Office of Sustainability hire artists, humanists and culture bearers to advance well-being.
1.5.A.4. ACT and nonprofit and community-based health and climate justice advocacy organizations center the role of creativity in organizing around communal well-being.
Teaching Artist Grants for RI Indigenous and African Heritage Teaching Artists
Funded by ARPA dollars allocated through the City of Providence’s Reparations fund, Teaching Artist Grants for Black and Indigenous artists supported 58 awardees in round 1 (39 awards at $1,000 and 19 awards at $2,000), and, in the second round, 67 awardees with awards ranging from $1,000 (20 awards) to $4,500 (14 awards). This program was lauded by applicants for having a simple, straightforward application process and for providing much-needed material support in instances where applicants lost life-sustaining income they may otherwise have earned as teaching artists and culture bearers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities*:
From Reparations plan
Point 4: Invest in programs that preserve, safeguard, promote, and cultivate the culture and heritage of African heritage and Indigenous peoples by African Heritage and Indigenous peoples.
Point 11: Creation and establishment of “Artist in Residence” fund.
From PVDx2031:
1.1.A.1. ACT identifies funders, and funds, professional and curricular development for teachers, teaching artists, humanists and culture bearers.
Cultural Heritage Tourism
In the summer of 2023, ACT contracted McCue Marketing Communications firm to help the department steward a Cultural Heritage Marketing Plan for the City of Providence. A core recommendation of this marketing plan emphasized the need for the City’s tourism marketing agencies to work with ACT to center BIPOC-led cultural offerings in Providence. In summer 2024, ACT convened these tourism agencies to meet monthly to address the lack of BIPOC representation within the current tourism marketing landscape. These monthly meetings have allowed for shared thinking and practices among the tourism partners, most of whom have not worked collaboratively together before. This work has allowed this cohort of marketers to intentionally engage local arts and culture BIPOC-led nonprofits to immerse their cultural programming within existing tourism marketing assets.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
7.1.A.6. The City’s tourism and hospitality partners elevate the narrative that Providence is a place where art is made by BIPOC creatives.
7.2.A.7. ACT and municipal partners develop promotional materials to educate business and property owners about ways they can work with independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets.
City Service and Special Events
The City of Providence’s Special Event Permitting process is a year-round initiative designed to permit and support event organizers and ensure events are safely executed. From January to November, permits are submitted and processed for various special events. ACT plays a central role in convening all relevant city departments to review and approve the necessary components of each event.
ACT facilitates interagency meetings, ensuring that each department involved—such as Public Works, Police, Fire, Parks, and others—provides the appropriate approvals and services required for the event.
From November to December, ACT meets with stakeholders and City Departments to assess the current permitting process and make necessary improvements. These meetings help adapt the process to changing needs and provide organizers with a more streamlined experience. The goals of these efforts are to enhance coordination between departments, ensure safety and compliance, and continuously improve the permitting process to meet the evolving needs of event organizers.
By fostering collaboration among city departments and providing clear resources to event organizers, the process aims to facilitate smoother, more successful events while also supporting the city’s growth and adaptation to community needs.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
2.1.A.7. ACT develops a toolkit for community-based event organizers.
2.1.A.6. ACT uses the Special Events Ordinance and Art in City Life Ordinance to support professionalization of the creative workforce.
Supporting Providence’s Cultural Heritage Festivals
ACT actively engages with cultural organizations and event organizers throughout their seasons, with a particular focus during the winter months. These meetings are designed to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers organizers face when navigating the special event permitting process.
By fostering open dialogue, ACT and event organizers work together to identify challenges and collaborate to brainstorm resources and best practices for the upcoming year. This process not only highlights areas of improvement but also enables ACT to provide meaningful support that aligns with the needs of event organizers and the broader community.
These efforts are essential to streamlining and improving the permitting process for both the City Service Team and event organizers. By addressing logistical challenges and reducing administrative burdens, ACT helps ensure that Providence remains a vibrant destination city and a creative capital. Large-scale events that celebrate the city’s diverse communities and cultural pride play a key role in putting Providence on the map as a hub of creativity and inclusivity.
The outcomes of this work include a more efficient permitting process, better alignment between city departments and organizers, and enhanced support for large-scale events that showcase the city’s identity. This engagement strengthens Providence’s reputation as a welcoming place for all people while fostering pride and ownership within its diverse neighborhoods.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown.
2.1.A.6. ACT uses the Special Events Ordinance and Art in City Life Ordinance to support professionalization of the creative workforce.
2.1.A.7. ACT develops a toolkit for community-based event organizers.
Arts Teaching, Learning and Enrichment Program
ACT is committed to providing arts education and enrichment opportunities for residents of all ages across the city. Its program focusses on intergenerational access and experiences promotes exploration through arts-based learning that leads to positive social-emotional development and workforce readiness. This year, ACT had several key successes within its program. Notably, support of school musical programs which strengthen school communities and enhance collaboration among students, families, and educators. These initiatives have created an environment where creativity thrives and community spirit flourishes.
ACT’s summer camp arts workshops at recreation centers have also been extremely successful. These opportunities provided participants with hands-on experiences in various art forms, allowing children and youth to explore their creativity in a supportive environment. Given the positive feedback and high engagement levels, ACT is excited to plan for expanding these arts experiences during the school year. This expansion will not only enhance creative expression among participants but also provide ongoing opportunities for exploration and learning within the community.
Another notable achievement is the piloting of ACT’s community programming in the Providence Housing Authority (PHA) residences with ONOP. This initiative has proven to be a successful model for engaging residents and fostering creativity within the community. Moving forward, we plan to use this program as a blueprint to expand and explore further collaboration with PHA, ensuring that arts education and enrichment continue to reach our communities.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
6.1.A.7: ACT and School communities stimulate student interest in creative careers, including but not limited to fine arts production, event production and management, arts administration, and technical design.
6.1.A.10: ACT, alongside funders and cross-sector partners, provides free transportation for students participating in cultural programs during out-of-school time.
6.2.A.1: ACT and cross-sector partners create arts learning opportunities for all community members, whether motivated by career aspirations, wellness, or connection.
Arts Experiences for Youth at City Rec Centers
Through its Neighborhood Engagement and Recreation Programming, ACT plays an essential role in enhancing community life across Providence’s 10 recreation centers. The Department supports a wide array of programming, fostering cultural engagement and offering meaningful creative experiences to residents, especially youth. Throughout the summer, ACT manages artist-led workshops, including those by the Rhode Island Black Storytellers and Circus Dynamics, as well as performances from local groups like Project 401. This programming promotes local talent and provides a space for residents to connect with art in their neighborhoods.
ACT also supports the City Council’s events, assisting with production to ensure that public celebrations and gatherings are well-coordinated and impactful. In the fall and winter, ACT provides a movie night package to recreation centers, featuring a 70-foot inflatable screen, outdoor sound system, and technical support, allowing community members to enjoy outdoor movie nights. These events foster a sense of togetherness and offer accessible entertainment during colder months.
During summer barbeques, ACT supports the celebration with face-painting and activities for children, adding local artist performances to further enrich the experience. The ACT team values its collaboration with the recreation centers, as they serve as safe spaces for Providence’s youth, providing meals, mentorship, and extracurricular programming. By offering arts-based engagement, ACT helps foster a creative, supportive environment, empowering young people and strengthening community connections across Providence.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown
6.2.A.4. ACT and cross-sector partners offer arts learning experiences in public spaces
1.2.A.2. ACT supports non-arts community-based organizations that incorporate arts and culture to support community well-being.
Neighborhood Tech Support
ACT provides technical production support to neighborhood-based events that celebrate the cultural and historical richness of Providence’s diverse communities. These events, held in parks like Billy Taylor Park in the Mt. Hope Neighborhood and Richardson Park in Lower South Providence, have long-standing traditions of honoring community legacies.
ACT’s primary goal is to ensure these events are well-supported with professional-grade technical production, including technical production personnel onsite, sound, and staging. By collaborating with neighborhood organizers and local artists, ACT enhances the quality of these events while preserving their grassroots essence.
In addition to ACT’s role, other city departments, like the Providence Recreation Department, contribute significantly by providing food, concessions, and other amenities. While the parks department offers electricity and sanitation support. These partnerships strengthen local nonprofits’ efforts to activate public spaces and create vibrant, welcoming environments for all residents.
Outcomes include increased community engagement, the activation of public spaces, and stronger connections between city departments and neighborhood organizations. These events foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity while supporting local culture and traditions.
Through its technical support and collaborative efforts, ACT contributes to the success of neighborhood events that celebrate Providence’s rich heritage and build stronger, more connected communities.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.2.A.1. ACT and funders commission buskers and other temporary site-specific performances in the public realm.
2.4.A.5. ACT works with City departments to make civic spaces more accessible.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets.
Film Permitting
In 2024 Providence played host to 37 permitted film-related projects. These included a range of productions such as TV pilots and series, commercials, music videos, and photo shoots.
The process of managing these permits is collaborative, with the City’s Law Department reviewing each film permit. The Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism coordinates with applicants, ensuring they follow the appropriate process. Other departments, such as Public Works and Parks, assess the logistical details of street closures, parking, and reserving public space. The Providence Police Department ensures safety and addresses any security concerns related to the shoots.
Notable productions filmed in Providence this year include Ella McKay, the Jennifer Hudson Show featuring local tufting artists from TUFTXPVD, and Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix. These successful projects reflect Providence’s growing reputation as a prime location for diverse and exciting film and television productions and help to highlight local talent and businesses while fostering economic growth in the creative industries.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.6. ACT uses the Special Events Ordinance and Art in City Life Ordinance to support professionalization of the creative workforce.
3.3.A.3. ACT and nonprofit and governmental workforce development agencies provide technical assistance and offer small business supports and loans to artists.
4.2.A.2. ACT and cross-sector partners connect small arts businesses to resources at every stage of development.
Pell Lecture on Arts and Humanities
ACT’s 2024 Pell Lecture on the Arts and Humanities took place on March 7, 2024 at the Community College of Rhode Island Liston Campus Auditorium. The lecture commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the theme was “From Renaissance City to the Creative Capital: Making Good on a Promise.” ACT Director Joe Wilson Jr. led a conversation with department’s former ACT Director Lynne McCormack, (then head of RISCA), Harold Steward, Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts, and Scott Hutcheson, Director of E Pluribus Unum and former Director of The City of New Orleans Office of Cultural Economy. The conversation focused on how art and culture become embedded in civic life and how we ensure our cities are places where artists can thrive. The event featured commissioned performances by storyteller Raffini, CCRI performance arts students (actors, singers, and musicians). CRRI student involvement went beyond commissioned work, and the students supported the event as on-site production staff. The event allowed for Providence’s arts and humanities sector to commune together and share ideas. Around 60 community members attended to celebrate 20 Years of ACT, and together dream towards the next 20 years.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
3.4.A.1. ACT and funders support professional development for 18-24-year-olds in the creative workforce.
5.4.A.3. Nonprofit cultural organizations prioritize accessibility.
3.3.A.1. Business advocates and ACT highlight local creative businesses.
City Hall Tree Lighting
The Providence City Hall Tree Lighting on December 6, 2024, marked the kickoff of the city’s holiday season. The event this year featured a festive mix of music, performances, and community engagement, taking the stage groups including 18 Wheelers Acapella Group, Lillian Feinstein Elementary Choir and the one and only Chachi Carvahlo and friends led the crowd in holiday tunes. Community artists like Providence Drum Troupe, Big Nazo, and RI Ballet guided Santa to the Holiday tree in the festive Parade! The highlight was the lighting of the City Hall Christmas tree with the assistance of High Output and their snow machines!
This event was part of the Three Nights of Lights celebration, which featured additional artistic installations, illuminated murals, and holiday markets throughout Providence. These events were supported by ACT through the Special Event Permitting process and logistic support throughout the weekend as they neighbored the tree lighting. The goal of the event was to foster community spirit, celebrate the season, and showcase local talent The success of the event was driven by strong partnerships, creative contributions, and extensive logistical coordination, ensuring a memorable and safe experience for all attendees.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets
7.1.A.5. The City’s tourism and hospitality partners hire more local BIPOC residents.
7.4.A.7. ACT and cross-sector partners develop and market new strategies to attract people to outdoor public events during winter months.
Hanukkah Spectaculah
For the past five years, the Hanukkah Spectaculah has been an opportunity for the Jewish community in Providence to share some of their winter holiday traditions in the center of the city. By creating a space to be both publicly Jewish and sharing this small but meaningful holiday offering light in dark times, we at ACT get to assemble a group of leaders and thought partners every year not for an emergency or a problem, but a party. Additionally, because the Jewish calendar is lunar, the Hanukkah date is different every year. That this year we are celebrating during the same dates as Christmas and bringing the celebration inside City Hall is especially poignant.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.3.A.2. ACT, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and other event producers develop and execute concrete accessibility plans.
7.4.A.1. ACT, independent practitioners, nonprofit cultural organizations and creative businesses produce live events in the public realm such as festivals, concerts and art markets
3.5.A.4. ACT and partners in the tourism sector hire artists working in civic engagement to support marketing campaigns and other initiatives.
City Council Holiday Tree Lightings
The City Council Tree Lighting program is designed to bring festive cheer to local parks by coordinating a series of community tree lighting events in all 15 wards. The planning begins with monthly check-ins in the spring, evolving into weekly meetings in September. By early November, ACT secures a vendor and begins finalizing tree locations in parks with council. The main program took place between December 6th and December 20th, with tree lighting events spread across the city. Each city council member hosts one tree lighting in their ward.
ACT and the Parks Department work collaboratively to ensure each tree is installed and properly lit, with solar or electric lights depending on park electricity access. The program also includes artist performances showcasing a variety of local artists and Santa appearances at each event, enhancing community engagement. The goal is to create memorable, well-coordinated tree lighting experiences while providing clear communication to all involved parties.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
7.4.A.7. ACT and cross-sector partners develop and market new strategies to attract people to outdoor public events during winter months.
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside the downtown.
6.2.A.5. ACT, nonprofit cultural organizations and independent practitioners advocate for the safe use of public schools as arts and cultural venues during out-of-school hours.
Bloodtide Finale
Originally funded through two Project Fund grants, both artist Eli Nixon and Providence Public Library (PPL) knew that the large paper mache timeline hanging in PPL of ~65 individual organisms needed to be deinstalled, but didn’t have a clear plan for how this transition would take place. Through individual and group facilitation, ACT supported both parties in finding a path to properly close this epic offering. We held community brainstorming sessions throughout the year that led us to understand the event was a “mass migration” and that we needed people to request organisms that they could home. We received over 90 applications from the ~180 people who attended the event. Throughout December people will come to PPL to collect their organism and the entire show was de-installed by mid-December 2024.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.5.A.2. Nonprofit and community-based health and climate justice advocacy organizations hire local artists to work within communities to unpack systems that affect their well-being .
4.2.A.2. ACT and cross-sector partners connect small arts businesses to resources at every stage of development .
5.4.A.2. Funders and artists measure success by looking at a project’s impact on participant well-being, depth of engagement and quality of collaboration.
ACT Interns
Because ACT doesn’t have a formal program for interns, we offer a bespoke model tailored to each person who expresses a desire to learn with us. Depending on their interests, interns and fellows support the Gallery, the festivals, sit in on meetings and brainstorming, create marketing collateral and generate arts and crafts material for events.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
1.1.A.1. ACT identifies funders, and funds, professional and curricular development for teachers, teaching artists, humanists and culture bearers.
3.4.A.1. ACT and funders support professional development for 18-24-year-olds in the creative workforce .
6.2.A.4. ACT and cross-sector partners offer arts learning experiences in public spaces
New England Regional Special Event Group
The New England Regional Special Event Group was created after ACT began meeting virtually with cities nationwide to learn about their special event permitting processes. Through these national discussions, ACT had the opportunity to join a regional meeting for cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, which proved incredibly insightful. The valuable knowledge gained from these interactions inspired ACT to reach out to cities in New England and launch our own regional group.
The group officially began meeting fall of 2024, though ACT had been connecting with these cities since the previous winter. The goal of the New England Regional Special Event Group is to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between cities in the region to improve the special event permitting process. These monthly calls provide a platform for cities to discuss challenges, share best practices, and support each other in navigating the complexities of event permitting.
Topics discussed include fee structures, application processes, and solutions for working with first-time organizers. For example, Worcester’s transparent fee structure has influenced Providence’s approach to fee transparency. Additionally, ACT and participating cities have focused on improving access to resources for organizers, streamlining event application processes, and offering mentorship for new organizers.
This collaborative effort has created a valuable network for event organizers and permitting teams, leading to more efficient processes and stronger community connections. As the group continues to grow, we look forward to expanding these conversations and improving the permitting experience for all.
3 Top PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.6. ACT uses the Special Events Ordinance and Art in City Life Ordinance to support professionalization of the creative workforce.
7.2.A.4. ACT continues to collaborate with regional and national partners to deepen research on the creative economy and co-create programs.
7.4.A.11. ACT and cross-sector partners develop strategic global partnerships through sister city relationships and peer-to-peer networks.
ACT’s General Fund Spending To Date FY25 Compared to FY24 Spending
