Riverzedge Arts: Woonsocket, RI (pop. 43,000)
Woonsocket, Rhode Island is home to Riverzedge Arts. The community resides in Providence County, Rhode Island with a population of about 43,000 according to the 2020 census. It is Rhode Island's northernmost city and lies directly south of the Massachusetts state line and constitutes as a part of the Providence metropolitan area with a population of 1.5 million, which makes the locale unique from some of the other organizations we have spoken with. The client base, many of whom are economically challenged youth, don’t have access to the larger metropolitan areas because of transportation and income barriers and must have significant services in their immediate locale. Riverzedge’s adult workforce is also drawn from a larger geographic area. There are positives and negatives with this but it serves as another interesting example of how a small community can serve the realities of their community while also drawing on skilled labor from beyond their borders.
Riverzedge was formed in 2002 by artists, youth development professionals and community leaders concerned about patterns of violence among disaffected youth in the wake of the Columbine shootings. Riverzedge is built on the philosophy that art is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship through the arts is a productive and life-changing opportunity for teens. Riverzedge has garnered national attention and awards for the academic success and artistic achievements of their youth, and for their consistent performance and innovative approaches to youth development. In November 2013, The Wallace Foundation cited Riverzedge as one of 8 exemplary organizations nationwide in their research on out-of-school time arts programs for low-income urban teens. Riverzedge also was awarded a President’s Council on the Arts and the Humanities National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2010.
Riverzedge is creating the next generation of entrepreneurs in Rhode Island through workforce development programs. Now, this may not be what you would initially associate with an arts organization but perhaps you should. Through training (students are paid for their work) in graphic design, multi-media, screening printing and public art design and execution, youth of Woonsocket, RI are instilled with workforce skills while also finding community and a positive outlet for expression and exploration. The model involves an Artistic Director and trained instructors who mentors a team of youth who execute multiple creative projects for the private and public sectors. To top it off, these projects provide earned revenue for the organization. Riverzedge works with clients to design and create merchandise and apparel, execute public art projects, design logos and marketing materials, and create multi-media services through photography and video work.
To begin, this youth workforce is not only improving the lives of the youth but also improve the lives of the wider community. The services they execute are at a significantly reduced price point for their clients, lowering cost barriers for many running small businesses, non-profit organizations or government departments in Woonsocket. Second, the organization’s focus on public art as a part of their services is improving the aesthetics of Downtown Woonsocket, which is a community that struggles with blight and poverty. Finally, they are building civic and community pride in Woonsocket by making merchandise that celebrates the city and the state of Rhode Island.
As a business model their set up is brilliant. The value their youth workforce development provides is worthy of private and public grant funds. The clear effectiveness of their programs also provides them a 65% retention rate with annual individual donors. At the same time, they are able to pay their youth (and staff) for their time because the work they do provides real dollars for the institution through commissions, service fees and merchandise sales. It is an example of how a non-profit business model can truly combine their workforce and mission delivery into a symbiotic relationship.
I really encourage you to visit their website and learn more. They are truly making big art in small town America.
http://riverzedgearts.org/