Award-winning organization begins national search
for next era
The Board of Directors presents a special opportunity to honor Tyler Denmead by launching the Founder's Fund
Three of New Urban Arts' first students, Kwajo (1st on left),
Victoria (3rd from left), and Marra (far right), who founded
New Urban Arts with Marcus Civin, first Program Director, (2nd from l)
and Denmead (4th from l) in 1997. Photo taken in 2006.
PROVIDENCE, RI (March 5, 2007) What began as an idea for a small pilot after-school arts program in downtown Providence, New Urban Arts has earned recognition as one of the best arts and youth development programs in the country ten years later. It has also become a local pioneer in changing the landscape of after-school programs, setting the stage for major investments in Providence such as the Wallace Foundation’s $5 million investment that led to the formation of Mayor Cicilline’s Providence After-School Alliance.
This remarkable trajectory has been driven by the leadership of its founding Executive Director, Tyler Denmead, who started New Urban Arts while he was an undergraduate at Brown University. New Urban Arts is announcing that he is stepping down as the Executive Director this summer.
Much has changed during those ten years. This period has been an especially turbulent time for arts education in the Providence public schools. And, after-school programs that were once largely expected to provide superficial services are now expected to provide enriching learning opportunities and meaningful relationships with adults. New Urban Arts has both filled a dire need and been a pioneer in demonstrating the value and potential of after-school opportunities for young people in Providence.
When the Wallace Foundation announced in 2003 that it was investing $5 million in Mayor Cicilline’s vision for a city-wide after-school system, now known as the Providence After-School Alliance, they announced this new vision for more enriching after-school programs in New Urban Arts’ studio at 743 Westminster Street.
“Tyler’s vision in creating and guiding New Urban Arts over the past ten years has had a significant impact on Providence and positively changed the lives of hundreds of our youth,” said Deborah Obalil, New Urban Arts Board Chair. “While we will miss his leadership at the organization, his dedication has laid the groundwork for New Urban Arts to continue impacting Providence and the national arts and youth development field for many years to come.”
The community has often recognized Denmead for these efforts, including Rhode Island Monthly selecting Denmead as the state's best role model in 2003, and Providence Monthly naming him one of ten leaders to change the future of Providence in 2004.
Denmead started New Urban Arts through the investment of the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University and the Echoing Green Foundation. Echoing Green awarded him $60,000 in seed capital through a fellowship given to 15 individuals worldwide each year. Through this initial support, Denmead launched the development of an innovative progressive arts education model the organization calls “arts mentoring.”
Taking place in an interdisciplinary arts community driven by the leadership of young people, New Urban Arts has partnered over 1,000 students and 80 emerging and professional artist mentors. The President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities selected New Urban Arts as one of the best arts and youth development programs in the country for four consecutive years. Citizens Bank and NBC10 named New Urban Arts one of the 2005 Champions in Action for its outstanding contributions to supporting young people.
Denmead inspired deep commitments, both personal and financial, from a growing community of volunteers and supporters. Since its founding in 1997, New Urban Arts has raised over $1.2 million. Private donations and earned income supported 50% of the organization’s budget last year. During the past two years, New Urban Arts has matched every dollar spent on its operations with the donation of volunteers’ time and materials. This year, New Urban Arts’ arts mentoring programs serve 150 students who actively participate each week with a core operating budget of only $180,000.
Denmead’s focus on building a sustainable organizational model that relies on individual donor support and the contributions of committed and passionate volunteers strongly positions New Urban Arts for future growth and opportunity. In recognition of this outstanding organizational model, the Arts and Business Council of Rhode Island awarded New Urban Arts the 2006 Jabez Gorham Award as an outstanding arts/cultural/educational organization. Readers of the Providence Phoenix, the weekly alternative paper, voted New Urban Arts the best out of 1,700 Rhode Island non-profits in 2003.
Denmead comments on the reason for his departure, “New Urban Arts is set to embark on an exciting period of growth, expanding arts learning opportunities for young people and particularly for artist mentors. After ten years, it is time for New Urban Arts to benefit from the leadership and vision of a new Executive Director. The broad base of support and interest in New Urban Arts, as well as the outstanding leadership of its students and volunteers, will allow new leadership to grow this organization to new, promising heights.”
Denmead, his wife, Katherine, and daughter Virginia, are relocating to England late this summer. There, he will begin postgraduate studies in Arts, Culture, and Education at the University of Cambridge. After ten years of leading a learning community focused on the arts, Denmead is excited for the opportunity to broaden his understanding of progressive arts education and continue his ongoing career as a community leader and educator.
In honor of his legacy, the Board of Directors has established a Founder’s Fund, which will support continued excellence and innovation at New Urban Arts.
About New Urban Arts
Founded in 1997, New Urban Arts is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary arts studio for high school students and emerging artists in Providence, Rhode Island. The mission of New Urban Arts is to build a vital community that empowers young people as artists and leaders toward a lifelong creative practice. The Presidents Committee on Arts and Humanities has recognized New Urban Arts as one of the best arts and youth development programs in the country for four consecutive years.
For the Position Announcement, click here.
###
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||
