Arts and culture Pawtucket, Rhode Island

pawtucket armory center arts (former pawtucket armory), sandra feinstein-gamm theatre in annex

the city of pawtucket has been supportive of arts community since 1975, in 1998, rhode island general assembly passed law creating 307 acre arts , entertainment district in city’s historic downtown [1]. on past decades various organizations have been active in continuing support of local arts community , beyond.

in january, 1999, herb weiss, of planning department, hired oversee city’s newly created arts district. through support of mayor james e. doyle , planning department michael cassidy, weiss brought significant recognition pawtucket-arts oriented development strategy [2]. mayor doyle , arts czar weiss hired researcher ann galligan, of northeastern university, create arts , cultural plan. on years pawtucket has become known center arts , culture [3].

the success of works seen in nationwide publicity in publications such new york times [4], wall street journal [5], christen scientist monitor [6]. pawtucket found named in art calendar’s “ten great towns working arts.[7]”pawtucket’s transformation arts community chronicled in 53 minute documentary in 2008, pawtucket rising, produced jason caminiti, fall river film maker, documenting city’s successful efforts in bringing artist , cultural activities blighted areas pawtucket rising.

each september, city, in conjunction pawtucket arts festival board of directors, members chosen community, produce annual citywide arts festival [8]. former mayor doyle created city’s month-long event. of work implementing vision of mayor doyle , growing month-long arts festival done herb weiss. weiss, among other awards, honored inaugural winner of “paf excellence award” work foremost ambassador arts , culture [9]. james doyle pawtucket foundation heritage award winner 2011 [10]

the american-french genealogical society founded in pawtucket in 1978.