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WaterFire Accelerate

A year-long professional development program for young artists under 30

WaterFire Accelerate is a year-long professional development program for emerging artists under 30 that is specifically designed to provide access to resources that will further participants’ artistic careers. WaterFire Accelerate engages young artists in areas outside the traditional art school experience through a series of meetings, workshops, site visits, and discussions. Professionals in the field share their experiences and learnings in open discussions where topics involving best practices, self-representation, marketing, finance and taxes, and technology surrounding art are explored. Each cohort represents the Providence community and is diverse in both the makeup of participants and their chosen mediums. 

WaterFire Accelerate artists receive a stipend that helps them produce new works during the program and aligns with WaterFire Providence’s overall mission of supporting artists and recognizing the value of their craft. Aside from the group show, WaterFire Providence provides various opportunities for WaterFire Accelerate artists to showcase and sell their work throughout the program at WaterFire ArtMarts, downtown lighting events, as well as inclusion of their artworks and merchandise at the WaterFire Arts Center store.

WaterFire Providence Announces the 2024-2025 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

The 2024-2025 cohort was selected by a WaterFire Accelerate Selection Committee that included local leaders in the arts: Melaine Ferdinand-King, independent Curator, Creative Producer, Writer, and Cultural Researcher; Gabrielle Walker, Curator at the RISD Museum; Andrea Pascual, 2023-24 Accelerate Artist and owner of Make Me Feel Better; Peter Mello, Managing Director + coCEO of WaterFire Providence; and Grechel Rosado, Programs Coordinator at WaterFire Providence.

Anyone interested in donating or supporting WaterFire Accelerate should contact Grechel Rosado, programs coordinator ([email protected] | (401) 443-0124.

2024-2025 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

2023-2024 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

2022-2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

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2021-2022 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

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WaterFire Accelerate Press Clippings »