New Urban Arts (NUA) is a free drop-in creative program for high school students in Providence. Our studio on Westminster Street has a black-and-white darkroom, an area for silkscreening, a music studio and a recording booth, a fashion and sewing area, a library, plenty of space for painting and drawing, and spaces to hang out. Our program at Central High School, NUA Knights, provides all the after-school programs, including a book club, cooking club, photography, eSports, and more.

Our student-led approach to learning enables young people to discover their power and develop agency. We believe that our creativity and well-being flourish when we engage in relationships and environments that make us feel safe to be and become ourselves. By relaxing, making, teaching, and learning in community with each other, we expand our sense of what’s possible.

New Urban Arts is supported through generous donations from people who want to see opportunities for young people in their community. With your support, we can:

Provide essential stipends to attract and retain talented artist mentors. Your generosity connects students with inspiring creatives who foster risk-taking and self-discovery. Together, they build community through collaborative projects across various disciplines, including painting, drawing, graphic design, photography, fashion, and filmmaking. At New Urban Arts, these mentoring relationships focus on collaboration and youth agency, enriching the creative journeys of both students and mentors.
Sustain our A Life After School (ALAS) program, our post-secondary advising initiative for high school seniors in the Youth Mentorship in the Arts Program. Your contribution helps the ALAS Program Manager run workshops on key topics like college applications, financial aid, and workforce prep. Plus, it supports our College Explorations summer internship, giving students hands-on experiences as they gear up for their futures.
Strengthen opportunities for youth to lead and develop essential skills through the Studio Team Advisory Board (STAB). STAB members take on meaningful roles by managing a budget, refining programs, responding to peers' needs, and organizing events. They build hands-on experience in leadership, collaboration, budgeting, and event management through regular meetings and a summer internship. Your contribution directly sustains these efforts, ensuring students have the resources to shape their experiences and grow as leaders.
Ensure our students have creative supplies and nutritious snacks. Your support helps us provide access to essential materials for all art forms, including those that are often hard to find, like darkroom supplies and screen printing materials. Whether it’s a new canvas or the tools for a creative project, your generosity ensures that students have what they need to explore their artistic passions.

Since 1997, New Urban Arts has provided high school students free access to creative exploration. Trusted adult mentors are chosen for their talent, skill, and dedication to guiding young people to use their voices and develop their skills. Will you support our young people with a gift today? If you are a first-time donor to New Urban Arts, your gift will be matched by a generous gift from an anonymous donor–doubling your impact!

Thank you so much for your support!

Giving Tuesday

By NEW URBAN ARTS

Giving Tuesday

Support access to creative exploration for Providence youth!

Team Members