At the very start of 2023, we launched the pilot year of a completely new program: ArtLab@WaterFire. This paid educational and workforce development program works with BIPOC young men from nearby Alvarez High School, introducing them to many different experiences and career paths within the arts world.
Tyler is a high school junior who joined the second cohort of ArtLab fellows this September. After just a couple of short months, they have all become an integral part of the WaterFire Providence team. Tyler himself describes the program better than I ever could.
Tyler and his peers have been instrumental to operations at lightings downtown and events at the WaterFire Arts Center on Valley Street. It’s incredible to see how much these extraordinary young men have accomplished so far, and I can only imagine how they’ll continue to grow throughout the rest of the year-long program.
Maybe it’s corny to say, but working with high schoolers always makes me think about the future. Much like these students, programs like ArtLab@WaterFire and WaterFire Accelerate are young and still have great opportunities and challenges ahead of them.
As we look forward to the future of these programs, we need your support now to ensure we can continue strengthening and expanding these initiatives. Please, won’t you join us?
