Rhode Island is home to one of the most prestigious art and design schools in the world, the Rhode Island School of Design, and our capital city of Providence was praised as a “mecca” for the arts by the New York Times.
AS220
AS220 offers all Rhode Islanders the opportunity to exhibit their original artwork in our galleries, free of charge. We operate four open-to-the-public galleries that present new exhibits every month.
Providence Art Club
11 Thomas Street, Providence
Founded in 1880 to stimulate the appreciation of art in the community, the Club has long been a place for artists and art patrons to congregate, create, display, and circulate works of art. Located along Thomas Street, in the shadow of the First Baptist Church, the Providence Art Club is a picturesque procession of historic houses, home to studios, galleries and the clubhouse. Through its public programs, its art instruction classes for members and its active exhibition schedule, the Providence Art Club continues a tradition of sponsoring and supporting the visual arts in Providence and throughout Rhode Island.
RISD Museum
20 North Main Street, Providence
The Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design is an art museum integrated with the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, Rhode Island, US. The museum was co-founded with the school in 1877. It is the 20th-largest art museum in the United States and has seven curatorial departments.
The Avenue Concept
Experience Providence, a burgeoning public art city, through The Avenue Concept’s interactive, self-guided art tour app. Whether you’re walking, riding, or driving, these comprehensive tours will help you explore dozens of murals and sculptures by local and internationally recognized artists throughout Downtown, the South Side, and the West End. Designed to help you see the greatest number of artworks in one day, you can follow our suggested routes or create your own path through this open-air art gallery. The app provides an interactive experience, including photos, videos, and thought-provoking prompts to help you go deeper, as well as tips on nearby local small businesses, including shops and restaurants, to further enhance your day. As the city’s leading public art organization, let us help you immerse yourself in the Creative Capital.
The WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley Street, Providence
The WaterFire Arts Center serves as our headquarters and multi-purpose arts venue as well as a social enterprise platform strengthening the organization’s long-term financial sustainability. One of the unique features of the WaterFire Arts Center is the Main Hall which provides 15,000 square feet of uninterrupted exhibition, performance, and production space with a 40-foot ceiling.
WaterFire
This award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. WaterFire’s over eighty sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the fire tenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. WaterFire has captured the imagination of over ten million visitors, bringing life to downtown, and revitalizing Rhode Island’s capital city. WaterFire Providence® is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement and creatively transforming the city by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy.
