Pell Lecture 2023: Registration

Who: Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, Sector Alchemists, Community Partners

When: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 10am-4pm (Check-in begins at 9:30am)

Where: Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903, https://www.provlib.org/

Event Description:  This year’s Pell Lecture for the Arts and Humanities will launch the City of Providence’s new cultural plan PVDx2031: A Cultural Plan for Culture Shift. Registration is required and attendance is FREE!

10am-12pm: Keynote & Speaking Event
12pm- 1:30pm: Lunch (provided)
1:30pm – 4pm: Workshop Sessions

Our Department developed PVDx2031 in collaboration with local artists and arts organizations throughout 2020, a year with unforeseen yet necessary sociopolitical pivots. Engaging a cultural planning process during COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement was both challenging and fortuitous. We could not shy away from this place that made us; we could not think about climate change, nor its effects on the health and well-being of our communities, as separate threads. We also had to honor that cultural workers are uniquely capable of recognizing and addressing social damage in times of crisis, and of transforming our awareness into concrete strategies that will help foment healing, repair and resilience.

ACT has already started implementing parts of the Plan by supporting teaching-artists in new and innovative ways, funding Providence’s creative nonprofits to rebound and rebuild, laying the groundwork for making changes in the commemorative landscape, and working towards implementing new ways to support our gig workers and the City’s life at night.

This year’s Pell Lecture will celebrate the work of our office and community in developing this path forward.

We look forward to seeing you in March!

The Department of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT)

Link to Plan: PVDx2031: Cultural Plan for Culture Shift