We are breaking down barriers, literally! 

For the last four years, our Youth and Industries programs have worked tirelessly to align not only our program structures and educational offerings - but to design a cohesive vision, culture, and space that allows both youth and adult artists to participate at AS220 more fully. Our aims are to increase workforce development opportunities for artists, create more sustainable programs, and to advance racial justice in our organization. Historically, the Industries has been a majority white space, while the youth program has been majority black and brown. Both are filled with talented people, tools, and cultural knowledge that when combined will create a more vibrant arts community.

Part of this move will actually be to move: AS220 Youth will officially be heading over to the Industries space with the primary goal of bridging the gap between these two communities. As a result, our maker spaces are currently closed for renovations, and will reopen in the spring of 2023 as the "AS220 Community Studios" - a new multigenerational arts space, and where AS220 Youth will now reside. We’ll still be offering affordable access to tools, knowledge, and space in the practices of printmaking, media arts, and fabrication, but in an even more open and inviting environment. Big shout out to TRES Construction for leading our construction efforts, and thank you to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and the Champlin Foundation, for their financial support for the construction work.

We are immensely grateful to everyone who has been involved in this project. It’s truly been a community effort. Stay tuned for more updates soon!