For our 25th anniversary, New Urban Arts started a partnership with Providence Public Library to archive our papers and artworks as a part of their Rhode Island Collection.
Over the past few years, we sent a wide range of materials to PPL, including founding documents, vision statements, student art, board minutes, photographs, oral histories, and more. These materials will be available both digitally (visit our Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/newurbanarts) and physically, making NUA’s stories accessible to historians, community members, and alumni.
This month, Summer Mentor and former A Life After School Coordinator, Addy Schuetz, former Executive Director, Daniel Schleifer, and former Board Chair Susan Smulyan started the physical end of the process of bringing boxes of archives over to PPL, with support from Kate Wells on the PPL side.
Our history will join PPL’s Community Archives initiative, which preserves materials from people and community groups documenting shared experiences, art, activism, cultural history, identity, and heritage. NUA’s archive will be alongside those of our friends at AS220 and the Urban Pond Procession.
These materials tell a compelling story of New Urban Arts and the Providence ecosystem where it was founded and has thrived. They reflect the vibrant history of our organization, our commitment to fostering creativity, and our role in the community. By preserving these documents, we ensure that future generations can explore and learn from our journey, values, and impact. This donation is not just a celebration of our past but a commitment to our future, as we continue to inspire and support young artists and creatives in Providence and beyond.
As we look ahead, we invite everyone to engage with our rich history through the Providence Public Library. Explore our archives, discover the stories of countless young artists who have passed through our doors, and witness the transformative power of creativity and community that defines New Urban Arts. This collection stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and vision that drive us forward.
Special thanks to Susan Smulyan, Kate Wells, and the 25th Anniversary Steering Committee for their inspiration and support!