SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
MILESTONES
CELEBRATING OUR JOURNEYS
Spotlighting great Rhode Island organizations that are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year .
FirstWorks has created astonishing firsts in the performing arts for two decades .
The boundary-pushing nonprofit brings leading artists from around the world and around the corner to Rhode Island and has attracted more than 750,000 arts fans . Highlights include aerial dancers transforming Providence ’ s highest building into a stage ; a yearlong project with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ; a world premiere by the Paul Taylor Dance Company and a new media arts festival . FirstWorks forges partnerships that strengthen the cultural fabric of Rhode Island . The organization reaches over 2,000 low-income students across the state and is the co-founder of PVDFest .
235 Promenade St ., Ste . 130 Providence , RI 02908 401-421-4278 • firstworks . org
2004-2007 2008-2011 2012-2015 2016-2019
FirstWorks was born as a turnaround of the First Night celebration . With a commitment to world-class arts and festivals , founder Kathleen Pletcher forges a partnership with the city of Providence .
A thrilling premiere capped a yearlong project with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble . FirstWorks formally launched its arts education program in Providence , Pawtucket and Central Falls .
FirstWorks pioneered creative placemaking practices , more than doubling its festival reach in just three years to 100,000 attendees at Providence International Arts Festival ( which later became PVDFest ).
FirstWorks was named PVDFest Founding Partner , secured national funding for dance projects and presented Rhode Island premieres with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center , Rosanne Cash , and Philip Glass .
2020-2023
FirstWorks innovated through artist commissions and a new winter arts celebration . What began as a pop-up concert series at Roger Williams Park returns for a fifth year in July 2024 .
114 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2024