Providence

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Arts and Culture—With a thriving arts district, a
commitment to historical preservation, and a sophisticated
nightlife, Providence offers a variety of entertainment options.
The city’s Arts and Entertainment District includes several
art galleries and performance spaces, anchored by AS220,
an alternative arts performance studio and living space with
regular performances, readings, and gallery exhibits.
Much of the visual arts influence in Providence can be
attributed to the influence of the Rhode Island School of
Design (RISD), one of the nation’s top art universities. The
RISD Museum of Art houses more than eighty thousand works
of art, ranging from Greek sculpture to French Impressionist
paintings, Chinese terracotta to contemporary multimedia art.
The museum’s Pendleton House is the earliest example of an
“American wing” in any museum; it features an extraordinary
collection of eighteenth-century American decorative art. The
school’s latest addition, the stunning Chace Center, has allowed
the museum to showcase more of its vast collection.
Day Trips—Centrally located, the Providence-Warwick
area is the gateway to southern New England—a hub of
culture, scenic beauty, history, and entertainment can be
found throughout Rhode Island, nearby Massachusetts, and
Connecticut. The following destinations are within one hour
of Providence and Warwick:
· Newport, RI; Block Island, RI
· Boston, Mass.
· Cape Cod, Mass.
· Fall River, Mass.
· Mystic, Conn.
Colleges and Universities—Nine colleges and
universities have campuses in the Providence-Warwick area,
making an indelible impact on the region’s intellectual,
cultural, and social life:
· Brown University
· Bryant University
· Community College of Rhode Island
· Johnson & Wales University
· Providence College
· Rhode Island College
· Rhode Island School of Design
· Roger Williams University
· University of Rhode Island
Shopping—Connected to the Rhode Island Convention
Center and the Omni Providence, Providence Place offers
visitors a mall with more than 170 shopping, dining, and
entertainment options. Funky urban chic can be found at one
of the many boutiques on Thayer and Wickenden Streets, both
on the city’s tony East Side. For those seeking one-of-a-kind
items, RISD Works is an innovative hybrid of retail store,
gallery, and design showroom featuring works from Rhode
Island School of Design alumni and faculty.
Weather—Rhode Island’s average temperature during April is
57°. Rhode Island has no regular “rainy” or “dry” seasons, with
precipitation fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.
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2016 OAH ANNUAL MEETING PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND