Riverzedge is a non-profit arts organization centered on providing arts education and programming for underserved youth in the Woonsocket area.

Riverzedge
Formation2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Founded atWoonsocket, Rhode Island
TypeNon-profit
PurposeArts and public service
Location
  • Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Websiteriverzedgearts.org

Riverzedge was founded in 2002. In 2014, the organization moved into its Second Avenue Studio Complex, in the building of a closed elementary school, and purchased that building, from the city of Woonsocket for $10 in 2017.[1] In 2018, Riverzedge received three grants to renovate their Second Avenue Studio Complex: $249,000 from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Champlin Foundation, and the June Rockwell Levy Foundation.[2]

Riverzedge offers arts programs throughout the year, including an Arts and Entrepreneurship for teens, the Woonsocket Parent Leadership Training Institute, and a mobile studio that visits Woonsocket schools.

Riverzedge has become a model for after school arts programs.[citation needed] In 2009, the Afterschool Alliance analyzed Riverzedge statistics, noting that 100% or Riverzedge students graduated in Woonsocket, a city with a 35% graduation rate.[3][failed verification] After In 2013, Riverzedge was featured as a case study for after school arts programs in The Wallace Foundation's publication, "Something to Say: Success Principles for Afterschool Arts Programs From Urban You and Other Experts."[4]

Awards

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  • 2009 Afterschool Innovator Award, Afterschool Alliance and the Metlife Foundation [5]
  • 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Riverzedge gets grants for renovations". The Valley Breeze. January 11, 2018.
  2. ^ Clem, Lauren (April 26, 2018). "Riverzedge breaks ground on renovations". The Valley Breeze.
  3. ^ "Afterschool: A High School Dropout Prevention Tool". July 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  4. ^ "Something to Say: Success Principles for Afterschool Arts Programs From Urban Youth and Other Experts". www.wallacefoundation.org. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  5. ^ "RiverzEdgeReceives National Afterschool Award from MetLife Foundation at ProvidenceLights On Afterschool Rally" (PDF). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awardees". NASAA. Retrieved 2020-03-06.