ACT 2025 Annual Report
The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism 2025
This year the team at ACT manifested the finales of several multi-year public art initiatives, piloted new relationships in creative workforce development and arts and health, expanded opportunities for writers and documentarians, joined national and regional cohorts as thought partners, and maintained the signature public events that bring neighbors together to celebrate and create the culture of our City, even amid uncertain times. We also managed changes and transitions within our staff, saying goodbye to some longtime colleagues and welcoming in new voices. 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 Cultural 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 2025!
Grant Making
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.
In 2025, The Project Fund offered two 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 could only be granted one Project Fund award per year. 2025 marked a drastic cut from our grants line in the budgeting process, bringing us from $160,000 to give in FY25 to $125,000 in FY26.
In cycle 1 (due date March 15, 2025) ACT received 41 applications totaling $156,900 in requests. A panel of 6 (3 artists, 3 ACT staff) deliberated on April 22, 2025, awarding 27 projects with $75,000. In cycle 2 (due date Oct 15, 2025) ACT received 35 applications totaling $130,350 in requests. A panel of 5 (2 artists, 3 ACT staff) deliberated on November 17, 2025, awarding 15 projects with $45,700.
In total, the Project Fund awarded $120,700 in funding for 42 projects across 11 out of 15 wards in Providence, representing hundreds of artists across disciplines and thousands of audience members in the form of participants and viewers.
For more information about awarded projects, see our Awarded Projects page.
Microgrants
In addition to our Project Fund for the Arts, ACT offers Microgrants for artists up to $500. In 2025, ACT was able to grant $4100 in microgrants to 8 projects in 2025.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
2.1.A.1. ACT funds projects in neighborhoods outside downtown.
2.2.A.1. ACT and funders commission buskers and other temporary site-specific performances in the public realm.
Grants Collaboration with the Parks Department
Ely Fund Neighborhood Performance Series
The Ely Fund is a 21-year-old program dedicated to supporting free outdoor performances in Providence’s parks throughout the summer, funded through an endowment established by Edward Francis Ely, the first Commissioner of Providence Parks.
2025 was a year to expand the financial support we could offer artists and organizers by limiting the requests for power and production. This gave the 2025 Ely Series a lively and spontaneous presence across Providence as nimble, low/no-tech performances sprang up across our city parks all summer long.
With $59,000 in funding to disperse, The City received 27 proposals through an open call totaling in $116,656 in asks.
Ely-funded artists also received support on producing their events series with securing dates and booking park locations, and having all associated event fees waived.
In 2025, The Ely Fund:
- Awarded $59,000 in funding to 16 artist organizers with grants ranging from $2,000-$4,750
- Showcased 45 separate events across 18 parks, focusing on under-utilized Providence Parks across all Providence neighborhoods.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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 gallery season ACT aims to present a wide array of media, artistic experiences, and aesthetic interests balanced with larger group shows and smaller duos. 2025 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 2025, two were large group shows, one offered three friends their first painting show together, one showcased fashion from emerging designers, and another gave an iconic Providence artmaking concern the opportunity to push their creative visions. Each show engaged different and specific communities: The Providence After School Alliance, residents of the Providence Housing Authority, graffiti artists, and Mary Fogarty Elementary School and its surrounding neighborhood.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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 2025
The City of Providence’s annual Independence Day Celebration returned to India Point Park on July 2nd, 2025. Programming began in the early evening, with a large-scale fireworks display launching post show. The event was free and open to the public, offering a welcoming, family-friendly experience that combined live performances, local food vendors, and a signature waterfront fireworks show. Each year, the celebration highlights Providence’s creative community by featuring a diverse lineup of local and regional artists and offers a range of musical traditions and cultural expression. Food trucks and vendors further program the park, supporting local businesses while enhancing the overall visitor experience. As a cornerstone summer event, the Independence Day Celebration reinforces Providence’s identity as the Creative Capital by centering arts, culture, and community connection. Hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with ACT and the Providence Tourism Council, the event is designed to foster civic pride, encourage shared public celebration, and provide residents and visitors with a safe, inclusive, and memorable way to mark the holiday. Through music, food, and fireworks, the event continues to serve as a unifying moment that brings together neighborhoods, generations, and cultures from across the city.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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
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.
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park concert remains a signature summer tradition, presented in partnership with the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT), the Rhode Island Foundation, and the Providence Parks Department. Held at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park, this free, outdoor concert invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy orchestral music in one of Providence’s most iconic and picturesque public spaces. Each year, the program celebrates community, place, and shared experience. Last season’s concert, Our State: A Rhode Island Celebration, centered on the cultural vibrancy and musical heritage of the Ocean State. The event transforms RWP into a concert space with a full-scale community gathering that blends music, food, and outdoor recreation. From ACT’s perspective, Summer Pops in the Park exemplifies the department’s commitment to expanding access to arts and culture across the city. By supporting free, high-quality performances in public parks, ACT helps ensure that creative experiences remain welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to residents of all ages and backgrounds. Drawing thousands of attendees annually, Summer Pops has become a beloved part of Providence’s summer calendar.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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
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.
PVDFest 2025
PVDFest, Providence’s signature outdoor arts festival, marked its 11th anniversary in September 2025 with a citywide celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Hosted by Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT), and FirstWorks, the festival transformed Downtown Providence into a shared gathering place for residents from all 25 Providence neighborhoods. By centering the event downtown, PVDFest invited communities from across the city to come together and experience a day of the full scope of Providence’s creative sector in one inclusive, public setting.
Drawing an estimated 75,000 attendees, PVDFest continues to be one of the region’s premier arts and culture events. At its core, PVDFest celebrates the collective creativity and resilience of Providence’s communities. The festival is intentionally designed to be accessible, multigenerational, and reflective of the many neighborhoods and cultures that shape the city. Through collaboration with artists, makers, cultural organizations, and community partners, ACT helps ensure that PVDFest remains a platform for local talent, a welcoming entry point to the arts, and a powerful expression of Providence’s identity as the Creative Capital. The event offers something for all ages and backgrounds, creating lasting memories while strengthening Providence’s reputation as a vibrant, inclusive cultural hub.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
Providence Commemoration Lab
Funded by the Mellon Foundation and the American Rescue Plan, The Providence Commemoration Lab was a program co-administered by The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT) and the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) that ran from Summer 2023 to Fall 2025. The Lab sited and staged new, temporary commemorative projects on public property that invited unexpected ways of understanding commemoration as a communal process of historical redress and spatial reclamation.
In 2025, the nine commissioned creative practitioners interrogated the ways that Providence residents construct and share memory and culture at three distinct sites: Columbus Square, Roger Williams Park, and Public Street. From The South Providence People’s Archive person-by-person approach to archiving to the AncesTree sitting atop a plinth that once held a statue of Christopher Columbus, the resulting pieces by the Lab artists ranged in scale, genre, and temporality offering our community a wide range of inspiration on the act of commemoration.
In addition, the PCL contracted two scholars who completed the most thorough inventory of Providence’s commemorative landscape to date and facilitated a class on commemoration for College Unbound.
The total budget for the Providence Commemoration Lab was 1.4 million dollars spent down over two years. We have archived the project on this website and in a book that will be published in early 2026, which includes documentation of the project from the writers and photographers hired to document the robust work.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
Pell Lecture on the Arts and Humanities
The 2025 Pell Lecture on The Arts & Humanities hosted at Oasis International featured a keynote address from Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and public art scholar Dr. Salamishah Tillet. Dr. Tillet’s talk, organized under the theme “Commemoration and the Power of the Temporary” examined the ways that intentional impermanence shapes monuments, memorials and commemorative practices. Before the keynote, the event began with contributions by our Providence Commemoration Lab resident writers – a poetic invocation by Chrysanthemum, a land acknowledgment by Karla Alba, and a printed walking tour by Traci Picard. The evening progressed with an address by Mayor Brett P. Smiley, a conversation between ACT Director Joe Wilson Jr. and Deputy Director Dr. Micah Salkind, and a brief send-off for PCL Lab Director Ena Fox, who was honored for her work with the Lab. Dr. Tillet’s keynote was followed by a dialogue between her and PCL Inventory Director/Seeing Monuments instructor Dr. Renee Ater.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
Strategy 2.2. Commission artists to produce events, show work and perform in unexpected places
Strategy 6.2. Develop neighborhood-based, all ages arts learning opportunities
Life at Night in the Creative Capital
In 2025 we released the City of Providence’s Life at Night Report, a comprehensive analysis of the city’s vibrant nighttime economy. As New England’s Creative Capital, Providence has long been celebrated for its restaurants, theaters, and cultural offerings, but the report marks the first effort to quantify the impact of the city’s after-dark activities on its economy, workforce, and social culture.
Commissioned by the City’s Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism and conducted by Jon Stover & Associates, the study reveals that Providence’s nighttime economy generates nearly $1 billion annually.
On the heels of this research, ACT convened the Life at Night task force, a group composed of internal City stakeholders in licensing, health and human services, and economic development, as well as external stakeholders such as venue managers/owners, artists, hospitality leaders, and life at night industry experts. Members of this group will continue to convene regularly in subgroups and quarterly as a large group to advance the various recommendations in the Life at Night in the Creative Capital report. To learn more about the work and read the full report, go here. Learn more about the Life at Night Initiative here.
ACT then contracted BOND Applied Technologies to engage two venues, Noir, and Troop, on a pilot Sound Mitigation program. BOND met with owners from both venues to take baseline acoustic measurements during off-hours, then returned to measure sound during peak activity on the weekend. In phase two of this pilot phase, the team at the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism will work with the venues to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken. Findings from this pilot phase of the initiative will help ACT and other City stakeholders to shape a call for participating venues in the coming year.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
7.4.A.2. ACT commissions and implements a study of life at night in order to identify and develop new operations in support of the City’s nightlife, entertainment industry and culinary scene.
4.3.A.1. ACT and cross-sector partners fund and facilitate a life at night and music economy study to assess, plan and implement strategies that strengthen the City’s downtown and neighborhood cultural corridors
Ripples Project
This strategic partnership with The Avenue Concept (TAC) brought a wave of public art by local and regional artists in Providence, Rhode Island by adding 50 utility box murals, 6 new large-scale murals, and a pop-up exhibit Downtown to Providence’s vibrant cultural-landscape and included a partnership with the youth-facing organization, New Urban Arts.
Through Ripples, The Avenue Concepts connected youth, emerging adult and experienced artists to outdoor canvases through partnerships with community-based organizations and their in-house production team. By providing training, mentorship, and professional opportunities, the project helped develop the next generation of public artists while investing in inclusive cultural expression and a stronger creative workforce in Providence.
The initiative supported the Smiley Administration’s ongoing efforts to beautify Providence and support artists with new creative outlets and economic opportunities.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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
2025 saw the completion of a three-year community design project called Broad Street Stories, which aimed to create an accessible toolkit for self-organizing, hyper-local stakeholder groups interested in creating public heritage infrastructure while also enabling the design and fabrication of three public heritage kiosks on Broad Street.
Though we have yet to publish the toolkits, in November 2025 we installed the three new markers on Broad St. Designed by local artists Kimberli and Sy Meyer, not only do these kiosks point out three cultural heritage sites on Broad St (Grace Church Cemetery, the Broad St Synagogue and the former site of Fefa’s Market), but they also serve as low-power radio stations broadcasting on Broad St 24/7 that anyone passing by can use and anyone with a radio signal can hear.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
City Service and Special Events
The City of Providence’s special event permitting process operates as a continuous, citywide effort to support public gatherings and events in outdoor city spaces and ensure they are planned and delivered safely. Throughout the calendar year, event applications are reviewed and coordinated to align organizers with the resources, approvals, and services required to bring events to life across the city.
The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) serves as the coordinating hub for this work, bringing together all relevant municipal partners to guide applications through review. ACT leads cross-departmental coordination with Public Works, Police, Fire, Board of License, Parks, and other City departments to confirm operational readiness, safety planning, and regulatory compliance for each event.
At the close of the event season, ACT convenes City departments and external stakeholders to reflect on the year’s permitting activity and identify opportunities for improvement. These end-of-year conversations inform adjustments to policies, timelines, and internal coordination, allowing the process to remain responsive to evolving community needs and the realities of event production. Through ongoing collaboration, process evaluation, and clear communication with organizers, the special event permitting process supports well-executed events, strengthens interdepartmental alignment, and reinforces Providence’s commitment to a safe, vibrant, and accessible public realm.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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
The Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) maintains ongoing engagement with cultural organizations and event producers throughout the year, with concentrated outreach and listening sessions taking place during the winter planning season. These conversations are designed to better understand the real-world challenges organizers encounter as they navigate the City’s special event permitting framework.
Through consistent dialogue and relationship-building, ACT works alongside organizers to surface common obstacles, share insights, and co-develop practical tools, guidance, and best practices that can be applied in future event seasons. This collaborative approach helps identify opportunities for refinement while ensuring City support remains responsive to the needs of organizers and the communities they serve.
This engagement is a critical component of strengthening the permitting process for both event producers and internal City partners. By addressing operational pain points and minimizing unnecessary administrative complexity, ACT supports a more efficient, transparent, and accessible system that benefits all stakeholders.
These efforts contribute directly to Providence’s position as a dynamic destination and creative capital. Large-scale cultural events that reflect the City’s diverse communities and shared civic pride play an essential role in elevating Providence’s national profile as an inclusive, innovative, and welcoming city.
The outcomes of this work include clearer coordination between City departments and organizers, a more effective permitting experience, and stronger support for major events that express the identity and values of the City of Providence. Collectively, this engagement reinforces community pride, strengthens neighborhood connections, and supports a public realm where creativity and culture can thrive citywide.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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 Experiences for Youth at City Recreation Centers
Through its Neighborhood Engagement and Recreation Programming, the Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) continues to play a vital role in enriching community life across Providence’s 10 recreation centers. ACT supports a variety of programs that foster cultural engagement and offer meaningful creative experiences for residents, particularly youth. Throughout the summer, recreation centers host artist-led programs and performances, providing opportunities for youth to connect with local talent and engage with the arts in their neighborhoods.
ACT also supports City Council events, assisting with production to ensure public celebrations are well-coordinated and engaging. In the fall and winter, ACT offers a movie night package to recreation centers including a large inflatable screen, outdoor sound system, and technical support bringing outdoor entertainment to neighborhoods during colder months. By collaborating closely with recreation centers, which serve as safe spaces offering meals, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities, ACT helps foster a creative and supportive environment that supports youth and strengthens community connections throughout Providence.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
Film Permitting
In 2025, Providence strengthened its profile as a sought‑after filming destination, hosting a variety of permits for a wide range of productions including movies, TV series, commercials, music videos, and photo shoots throughout the city. The permitting process remains a collaborative effort: the Law Department reviews each request, while the Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) coordinates with applicants to ensure all productions follow the proper channels. Departments such as Public Works and Parks assist with logistical planning for street closures, parking, and park use, and the Providence Police Department supports safety and security for cast, crew, and the public.
This year’s slate of productions included two high‑profile feature films that chose Providence as a backdrop. “Ghostwriter,” directed by J.J. Abrams, which transformed streets, bridges, and historic neighborhoods into active film sets during its shoot in the summer. Providence also hosted production for “Remain,” an upcoming supernatural romantic thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan and filmed in and around the Cranston Street Armory and other regional locations. Additionally, the city was featured in the TV series The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, further showcasing Providence on screen.
These varied projects reflect Providence’s growing reputation as a dynamic and versatile setting for film and television. They highlight local talent, support area businesses, and contribute to economic activity in the creative sector, while ACT’s ongoing coordination helps ensure productions are smoothly integrated into city life.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
City Hall Tree Lighting
The Providence City Hall Tree Lighting kicked off the city’s holiday season as part of the inaugural Providence Holiday Festival, a weekend celebrating music, art, and community. The program highlighted local and intergenerational talent, featuring choirs from elementary students to the Exult Choir, and the Providence saxophone choir leading festive sing-alongs.
A special performance by Nova One, who played Newport Folk Festival and closed Foo Fest at AS220 showcased Providence’s rising musical talent. Community artists, including Providence Drum Troupe and Rhode Island Ballet, led a festive parade guiding Santa to the tree, which culminated at the City Hall tree with snowfall effects from High Output.
This year, ACT expanded programming with four local DJs performing during rink skating, supported the new winter festival Pneufest in Burnside Park, and highlighted a local DJ collaborating with Le Patin for a community skate dance party after Le Patin’s show Friday night. As part of the Providence Holiday Festival, these events fostered community connection, elevated local artists, and created a festive, inclusive, and memorable experience for all.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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 six 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. In 2025 our celebration happened to fall amid the tense days following the shooting at Brown University. That we were still able to gather in City Hall was especially poignant.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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 takes place in local parks and recreation centers with community tree lighting events across all 15 wards. Planning begins in the spring with monthly check-ins, shifting to weekly meetings in September, and by early November, ACT finalizes tree locations and secures vendors with each council member. The main program runs from December 6–20, with each council member hosting one lighting in their ward.
ACT and the Parks Department ensure trees are properly installed and lit with solar or electric lights. ACT works to coordinate all artist communication and provide on-site tech support and organize performances by local artists. In addition, ACT connects with recreation centers adjacent to the parks selected to team up with centers to celebrate the season at the tree lightings. Each event also features the Providence Canteen in partnership with the Fire Department and City Council and a visit from Santa himself on his motorcycle, thanks to The Providence Souvenir Shop. This year, the program continued the celebration of the Providence Holiday Festival the first weekend of December into neighborhoods to provide inclusive experience across the city!
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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.
New England Regional Special Event Group
The New England Regional Special Event Group emerged from the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT) participation in national conversations with municipalities across the country focused on special event permitting. Through these virtual exchanges, ACT was invited to join a regional working group with cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The depth and usefulness of those discussions highlighted the value of regional collaboration and inspired ACT to establish a similar network here in New England.
While ACT began informal conversations with neighboring cities the previous winter, the New England Regional Special Event Group officially launched its meetings last year. The group’s purpose is to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and collectively improve special event permitting practices across the region. These regular calls create space for cities to exchange lessons learned, troubleshoot common challenges, and support one another in navigating complex permitting systems.
Key discussion areas include fee structures, application workflows, and strategies for supporting first-time event organizers. Insights shared by peer cities, such as Worcester’s clear and transparent fee model, have directly informed Providence’s own approach to improving clarity and consistency for organizers. Participating cities have also focused on expanding access to resources, simplifying application processes, and exploring mentorship opportunities for new and emerging event producers.
This growing regional network has strengthened connections among municipal permitting teams and created a collaborative foundation for more efficient, accessible, and equitable event processes. As the group continues to evolve, ACT looks forward to deepening these partnerships and advancing a more seamless permitting experience for organizers throughout New England.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key 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
Newsletter Return
This year, ACT reprised its newsletter after a 4-year hiatus. Published on a (bi)monthly basis, ACT’s newsletter informs its 2,293 readers of new opportunities for artists in public art and employment; general updates on ACT’s initiatives and programs; key event detail listings; and hi-res photography of artworks and community engagements. iContact newsletter software grades ACT’s newsletter with an Overall Grade of A+ across categories Open Rate; Click-to-Open-Rate; Hard-Bounce Rate; Complaint Rate; and Spam Complaints + Unsubscribes To Open Rate. ACT also created a new landing page for the newsletter, making it easier for users to sign up and view past archives.
CULTURAL PLAN IN ACTION
Key PVDx2031 Strategies + Activities:
Strategy 3.2 — Centralize resources for creative practitioners
3.2.A.2. ACT and funders support a centralized hub for professional development opportunities relevant to the creative workforce.
Staffing Transitions
2025 saw some big changes on ACT’s administrative team. Longtime staff member Dr. Micah Salkind took on a new role as the Director of Civic and Cultural Life at the RI Foundation and Lael Tucker’s position as the Director of Art, Teaching and Learning was defunded due to necessary budget cuts in the wake of PPSD’s midyear reevaluation.
The loss of these two colleagues created the opportunity for growth within the department as Rebecca Noon became the Deputy Director and Charlotte Abotsi the Special Projects Manager. Additionally, we hired a new team member, Rae Reilly, who is now the Constituent Engagement Coordinator.
ACT’s staff were also recognized by various bodies, including:
- 2025 Hospitality Hero, GoProvidence, Charlotte Abotsi
- 2025 National Leaders of Color Fellow, NEA initiative led by Creative West, Charlotte Abotsi
- New England Foundation of the Arts Rhode Island representative, Charlotte Abotsi
- 2025 Community Support Award, MUSE Foundation “Best in Black,” City of Providence Department of Art, Culture, Tourism
- Inaugural Recipient of the 2025 MUSE Foundation “Best in Black,” Arts & Culture Award, Joe Wilson, Jr.
- May 2025 the Providence Public Library (PPL) proudly presented Joe Wilson, Jr. As the annual honoree at their gala
Conferences Attended by ACT Staff
One Nation One Project Arts and Health Summit– Dallas, Texas
ACT Attendees: Rebecca Noon, Lael Tucker
Global Cultural Districts Network Conference – Los Angeles, California
ACT Attendees: Joe Wilson Jr., Dr. Micah Salkind
Joe Wilson Jr. Moderated panel “Must We Build It for Them to Come?”
- Cities often turn to large-scale cultural infrastructure to drive urban renewal, but can festivals—ephemeral by nature—serve as equally powerful anchors? Unlike permanent institutions, festivals offer a flexible, participatory approach to shaping narratives of place, fostering local engagement, and catalyzing cultural and economic revitalization. Yet, their impermanence raises a key question: can they leave a lasting imprint that aligns with long-term cultural and urban development goals?
- This session examined the role of festivals in urban redevelopment, weighing their potential to embed cultural identity against their transient nature. How are cities leveraging festivals to reimagine their cultural landscapes? When does cultural programming prove to be the most effective tool for transformation, and when does it give rise to lasting institutions or infrastructure? And how can cities best calibrate these approaches to align with their broader vision for urban and cultural life?
National League of Cities, Cities of Opportunity — Washington, DC
ACT Attendee: Rebecca Noon
Current ACT Staff
Joe Wilson Jr., Director
Rebecca Noon, Deputy Director – Special Committee for Commemorative Works, ACT Public Art, Art in City Life Commission, Gallery at City Hall
Allie Barry, Cultural Affairs Manager – Special Events, Manages City Service Process, Operations and Logistics, PVDFest, Life At Night
Charlotte Abotsi,, Special Projects Manager-Project Fund, MicroGrant, Ely Fund, City Service, Life At Night, Cultural Heritage Tourism
Ellary Gamache, Fiscal and Operations Manager – Fiscal, payments and contracting
Rae-Anna Riley, Constituent Enaggement Coordinator- Production for all City Special Events, Support City Service Process, Public Art Registration
Michaela Antunes, Director of Communications for Economic Development- Media Inquiries