Mayor Brett Smiley, The Avenue Concept Announce Major New Public Art Program

'The Ripples Project' will bring dozens of public art installations to Providence in upcoming year

PROVIDENCE, RI - Mayor Brett P. Smiley, The Avenue Concept (TAC), Providence City Council President Rachel Miller, and the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism today announced The Ripples Project, an ambitious public art initiative that will transform the city's landscape in the upcoming year. The new project will bring a landmark number of new public art installations to the City of Providence, including a series of large-scale murals and creatively designed utility boxes throughout the city. The initiative supports the Smiley Administration's ongoing efforts to beautify Providence and support artists with new creative outlets and economic opportunities.

"At the heart of this initiative is our commitment to providing paid, professional opportunities for artists," said Mayor Brett Smiley. "Public art is central to Providence's identity and The Ripples Project will support businesses and neighborhoods while strengthening our creative economy."

Through this partnership, TAC will work with local business and building owners to select sites for a total of 3,600 square feet of new murals and will commission professional, emerging, and young artists to design and paint 50 utility boxes throughout Providence in the upcoming year.

"The Ripples Project is just the kind of public/private art initiative that has helped Providence earn the title of 'The Creative Capital' of Rhode Island," said City Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13). "A win-win for the city, projects like these beautify overlooked and undervalued spaces while providing artists with public canvasses to share their inspiration."

Mural Program

A key component of The Ripples Project is the creation of approximately five new murals, covering over 3,600 square feet of wall space. TAC, renowned for their expertise in curating public art, will work with local businesses and building owners to identify high-visibility sites throughout Providence. The program comes at no cost to property owners.

TAC is currently looking for building owners, or business owners who have permission from the building owner, interested in having a mural curated by TAC and painted at no cost to the business. Murals will be painted during the warmer months of 2025, and property owners can submit their sites for consideration through February 1, 2025.

Utility Box Program

In addition to murals, The Ripples Project will activate a wide range of public spaces by commissioning new artworks on 50 utility boxes across the city. This initiative includes a public open call for artists to design and paint utility boxes, offering stipends and technical support to ensure the project is accessible to artists. These three-dimensional canvases present a unique opportunity for local talent to engage with the public and reimagine urban spaces.

A separate cohort of 14 young artists from New Urban Arts (NUA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing creative potential in youth, will also be commissioned to create works on utility boxes as part of the project. NUA's youth participants will begin their work in spring 2025, offering them a chance to contribute to the city's cultural landscape in a meaningful and lasting way. Interested youth are invited to contact New Urban Arts for more information.

"We are elated to be in partnership with the City of Providence, the Providence Department of Art Culture and Tourism and New Urban Arts in inviting young, old, emerging and established artists into this wonderful blooming of public art in our City," said TAC Executive Director Tracy Jonsson-Laboy. "This debut collaboration is hopefully just the start of many future projects centering the creation of joy, dialogue and belonging through public art in Providence."

This initiative is part of the Smiley Administration's thoughtful, multipronged approach to improving neighborhood quality-of-life and supporting artists with paid opportunities to showcase permanent public art. By investing in creative opportunities for artists and encouraging community involvement, the City of Providence aims to foster a culture that values public art as a civic good. For more information about how to get involved, including details on mural site submissions and the utility box artist call, visit The Avenue Concept.

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