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Providence Named One of America’s Top ArtPlaces for 2013

ArtPlace, an initiative of national and regional foundations, various federal agencies, and major banks to accelerate creative placemaking across the U.S., has released a report that identifies the Top ArtPlaces in 33 of the nation’s largest U.S. metropolitan areas with neighborhoods that have been exceptionally successful at combining art, artists and venues for creativity and expression with independent businesses, retail shops and restaurants, and a walkable lifestyle to make vibrant neighborhoods.

No surprise to locals the report designates an area that includes the Downcity Art district and extends to the shopping and nightlife on Federal Hill, as one of the country’s top ArtPlaces. Ths area, which includes such local cultural institutions as PPAC, AS220, New Urban Arts, and many others, is also the setting for WaterFire.

The impact the arts have had on the vibrancy and economy of the Downtown Providence is unmistakable,” noted ArtPlace director Carol Coletta. “This study shows how the arts can provide a foundation for a diversity of neighborhoods to thrive.”

ArtPlace LogoWaterFire Providence is proud to be a part of the arts and culture movement in our city. Our mission has always been to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement and creatively transforming the city.

Last year WaterFire Providence was the recipient of a $454,000 grant from ArtPlace to launch a public art incubator to create new art works and public programs with a wide variety of arts and culture organizations to experiment with original ways to add vibrancy and economic impact to the city of Providence. In 2013 we will using this grant to expand our event programming and to extend our cultural and economic impact from downtown to other parts of the city.

More information about this report and a full listing of America’s top ArtPlaces can be found on the ArtPlace blog.

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About the author

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I've worked at WaterFire Providence since 2003. For the first 9 years of my career, I worked in the Production Shop learning all of the details that go into the physical production of the event. In 2012 transitioned to the role of managing WaterFire's social media and web presence. I now head up WaterFire Providence's digital projects including, web, social, databases, and our physical IT infrastructure.

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