FirstWorks Annual Report 2021-22

Annual Report 2021-22

Connecting international artists with audiences in the Creative Capital; Hit La Rosa, one of Lima, Peru’s leading indie bands, performs live at PVDFest

For 18 years, FirstWorks has connected art with audiences

The 2021-22 season was a jubilant return to FirstWorks’ core—connecting our community with extraordinary world-class arts at The VETS, First Unitarian Church, and Providence Public Library. We rejoiced at the comeback of PVDFest and expanded access to the arts in outdoor settings. As a cultural producer, we continue to create unique avenues for gathering to experience “firsts” from intrepid artists who uplift us all.

FirstWorks is resolute in our commitment to fostering new collaborations and producing new works by local artists. Our expanded arts education reached young people with virtual and in-school learning. With new and existing partners, we opened new doors to creative change-making.

As we look back, we celebrate another year of forging bold artistic partnerships and strengthening the fabric of our community. We thank you for your support. With your help, we are creating joy, finding hope, and building our next season

Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director

EXPERIENCE

Fostering International Collaboration in Real Time

FirstWorks brought more than 500 audience members to experience groundbreaking artistry in our triumphant return to live performances at The VETS. The Blind Boys of Alabama collaborated with Malian duo Amadou & Mariam in an evening performance titled FROM BAMAKO TO BIRMINGHAM, blending cultures and musical styles.

Before the concert, students from the Central Falls High School Choir enjoyed a conversation with Gospel Hall of Famers Ricky McKinnie and Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama. This engaging experience with world-class artists helped increase student interest in the school’s growing choral program.

FirstWorks continued its commitment to creating transformative cultural experiences and inspiring creativity in our audiences.

In the 2021-22 season...

Malian power couple Amadou & Mariam performing live at The VETS in April 2022

Spans

TOP

and

at

Roger Williams Park Bandstand;

Hopkins’ Red

A PVDFest Comeback

FirstWorks was thrilled to co-produce the highly anticipated return of PVDFest. The three-day festival drew 115,000 people to the Creative Capital to experience local and worldclass artistry across nine performance stages. Made possible by 40 sponsors, the festival employed over 200 local, regional, and international artists, as well as 150 artisan vendors and 30+ food establishments, resulting in deep economic impact within the City of Providence (more than $3 million in total expenditures).

FirstWorks curated a roster of local, national, and international artists. Headliners included New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band, legendary bandleader and eight-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri with his Salsa Orchestra, and Peruvian indie band Hit La Rosa. This festival saw the return of larger-than-life, family-friendly spectacle. Squonk: Hand to Hand performed six times over three days and facilitated an interactive workshop for Providence students.

TOP TO BOTTOM : Crowds gather at PVDFest mainstage; Artists dazzle visitors Downtown; Larger than life “Squonk: Hand to Hand” spectacle

The best music I’ve heard this year...and it was free thanks to FirstWorks.

—PVDFest Attendee

Better Together

WaterFire Arts Center

In a creative partnership with the WaterFire Arts Center, FirstWorks engaged the public with free arts programming centered on racial and social injustice. THE SEEING film collection scored by Daniel Bernard Roumain created a space for important social, racial, and cultural dialogue through the arts. For 13 years, Roumain has collaborated with FirstWorks on various projects to bring new artistic ventures to life in Providence. The incomparable WaterFire Arts Center provided the perfect backdrop for the exhibit and multidisciplinary reception showcasing films and live musical excerpts. This significant project continues through Winter 2023.

Taiwanese Cultural Council

Finding innovative paths to connect international collaborators, FirstWorks partnered with the Taiwanese Cultural Council to engage over 150 viewers with a live performance film created by Taiwanese jazz artist Vincent Hsu (徐崇育) and his ensemble, Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band (古巴爵士樂團).

COLLABORATION

FirstWorks has forged collaborations with over 90 organizations, creating new gateways to the arts with partners across business, social service, education, tourism, and government sectors.

TOP + BOTTOM : WaterFire Arts Center; Image from Vincent Hsu’s “Jazz Changed, Jazz Changes, Jazz Changin’”

Artist Daniel Bernard Roumain

LEARNING

Championing arts integrated learning

Dancing Into the New School Year

In September, 2021, MUSIC FROM THE SOLE joined FirstWorks for a thrilling week of educational engagements and performances, which reached over 380 participants, including 250+ Providence students. The tap dance and live music company celebrates tap’s Afro-diasporic roots, particularly its connections to Afro-Brazilian dance and music. Music from the Sole’s Leonardo Sandoval and Gregory Richardson led six highly participatory body percussion workshops.

Drumming Up Excitement

With 20 small drums in tow, Master Malian drummer Sidy Maiga visited Pell Elementary School for an interactive matinee experience—the school’s first assembly since COVID began. Students were taken by a storm of call-and-response rhythms. Group by group, Maiga called eager student volunteers up for his rotating percussion ensembles to play for their audience of peers, who clapped and drummed in response on the ‘cafetorium’ tables.

In addition to his matinee performance, Maiga’s residency included three Djembe drum workshops, a Teacher Professional Development Workshop on music making, and a family-friendly performance at PVDFest. FirstWorks’ collaboration with Maiga is part of an overarching initiative to bring local teaching artists into core schools for regular engagements.

Sidy Maiga connects with a student at Pell Elementary School in Newport

Providence’s Bailey Elementary School students enjoy a workshop with Music From The Sole

TUNE IN: An interview with Jamil Jorge, speaking about FirstWorks’ education programs (top), and the Virtual Learning module for “This is America,” with Johnny Gandelsman, are available on FirstWorks’ YouTube channel

Expanding the Virtual Learning Library

Grammy-award winning composer and violinist Johnny Gandelsman (above) contributed to FirstWorks’ Virtual Learning library with a new module aligned to core standards. Launched in 2020, FirstWorks’ multilanguage online resource library has 25,000+ views and is accessible to students and educators statewide.

Johnny Gandelsman, a founding member of Brooklyn Rider and a member of the Silkroad Ensemble, performed selections from his powerful collection, THIS IS AMERICA, live at First Unitarian Church. He also conducted a workshop for Hope High School students in Providence. Developed amid the pandemic, “This is America” is a series of works from a diverse group of American and United States–based composers—just one example of how FirstWorks brings creative firsts to Rhode Island students.

Creative Partners

Bank of America

Charitable Foundation

Brown Arts Institute

Carter Family Charitable Trust National Endowment for the Arts

New England Foundation for the Arts

Rhode Island Commerce Rhode Island Foundation

Presenting Partners

The City of Providence June Rockwell Levy Foundation

National Grid Foundation Providence Tourism Council

Textron Charitable Trust United Way of Rhode Island

Community Partners

AAA Northeast BankNewport

CDQ Charitable Trust Department of Art, Culture + Tourism Nordson Corporation Foundation

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Steer PVD United Way of Rhode Island

Gold Partners

Cox Communications Fidelity Investments Grace K. and Wesley S. Alpert Charitable Foundation

Ida Ballou Littlefield Memorial Trust Murray Family Charitable Foundation

Navigant Credit Union Providence College

Rhode Island Council for the Humanities

Tanner Memorial Fund Silver Partners Amica Companies Foundation

ANS/Alpha Net Solutions BankRI HarborOne Foundation Locke Lord LLP

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Ocean State Charities Trust Coastal1 Credit Union

The John Clarke Trust Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee

Bronze Partners

Aaron Roitman Chamber Music Fund

The Amphion Foundation

The Beacon Foundation Delta Dental of Rhode Island Mullen Scorpio Cerilli

The Providence Rotary Charities Foundation Technic, Inc.

Media Supporters

iHeart Media

Poder

The Boston Globe Rhode Island Lamar Providence Monthly

The Public’s Radio Rhode Island Monthly WPRI Media Group

Curator’s Circle Anonymous Kyle A. Adamonis Robert J. Allio Ashley & Peter Barrett Norm & Nancy Benoit

Fred & Joyce Butler Ellie Ferguson Katharine & Larry Flynn Kevin & Karen Hundley

Board of Trustees