In 1993, AS220 converted a severely blighted building on Empire Street in downtown Providence into a permanent mixed-use home for the arts: a visionary step that has ensured artists remain vital content creators and stakeholders in the city’s downtown. Led by artist, civic leader and cultural provocateur Umberto (Bert) Crenca, over 200 volunteers contributed to the realization of this bold vision.

No other single building in downtown Providence contains as much varied and dynamic arts and cultural programming as AS220’s Empire Street complex, with programs spanning music and performance, theatre, dance, visual art, youth arts education and affordable housing. 

Now, in 2018, AS220 is launching the ‘All Access’ campaign to make comprehensive improvements to our flagship Empire Street complex for the first time in 25 years, focusing on:

1. Creating more programmatic space so artists have greater access to opportunities to exhibit and perform
2. Improving physical accessibility in our Empire Street building
3. Creation of an Access Fund, which will allow us to continue providing our creative community with affordable access to all of AS220’s dynamic programming

Please join us on May 16th at the Paff Auditorium on the URI Providence campus as we share our vision for the future of Empire Street and the creative community that sustains it: a community nurtured by artists, audiences, young people, neighbors, generous supporters and friends. Afterwards, join us at AS220’s Main Stage to celebrate and continue the conversation! Light refreshments provided, drinks available from AS220’s Bar.

RSVP online now!

If you’re unable join us, you can donate to AS220’s All Access campaign here – we have a $25,000 fundraising goal for our launch event!  Help us provide another 33 years of powerful, transformative experiences for artists and audiences!