| This thesis explores the perspective of arts organizations in the context of Providence, Rhode Island. It looks at key claims about the arts as a catalyst for social, economic and physical benefits and asks whether revitalization benefits have extended beyond the downtown area to other neighborhoods and populations.;The analysis includes a characterization of Providence's local arts universe, (Filicko and Lafferty 2002) interviews with key actors, and a case study of AS220. AS220 is the ideal critical case for the project because it is one of the anchors of the city's Arts and Entertainment District, it focuses on a wide variety of media, and it has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the city and revitalization.;This project found that Providence's arts organizations are not all alike---some organizations are more dedicated to revitalization theories and efforts than others, and that level of dedication varies with respect to the types of contributions and the beneficiaries. |
