95 Empire: Providence's Unjuried, Uncensored Performing Arts Hub

95 Empire Introduce

For anyone in Providence and across our vibrant Rhode Island, seeking a truly unique and accessible space to experience the full spectrum of live performing arts, 95 Empire stands as an essential destination. As a core program of AS220, a renowned non-profit arts organization, 95 Empire is more than just a theater; it's a dynamic and inclusive hub for creativity, experimentation, and community engagement. Since its inception, AS220 has been committed to providing unjuried, uncensored, and all-ages access to arts and creativity, and 95 Empire embodies this ethos by offering a vital forum and home for work that stretches genre conventions. Whether you're interested in innovative theater, captivating dance, compelling film, experimental music, or thought-provoking literary arts, 95 Empire provides a welcoming stage for both established and emerging artists right here in our local Rhode Island community.

95 Empire is centrally located at 95 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903, USA, placing it firmly in the heart of Providence's downtown arts and entertainment district. This prime location ensures excellent accessibility for residents throughout Providence and the greater Rhode Island area, including nearby cities and towns like Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, and East Providence. The venue is easily reachable via public transportation, and its downtown setting means it's often within walking distance or a short drive from many popular local spots. While specific parking details for 95 Empire itself are often tied to general downtown Providence parking, there are various public parking garages and street parking options available in the vicinity, though it's always advisable to check for current parking availability, especially during peak event times. The accessibility of 95 Empire, embedded within the larger AS220 complex, reflects its commitment to being a true community resource for the arts.

95 Empire, as part of the broader AS220 performing arts program, offers a diverse array of services and opportunities that extend beyond simply hosting performances. It's a comprehensive platform designed to support artists, engage audiences, and foster creative growth within the Rhode Island community.

Diverse Performance Programming: 95 Empire regularly hosts a wide variety of live performances, including theatre productions, contemporary dance, independent film screenings, literary readings, experimental sound-art, and multi-genre events that defy easy categorization.
Multiple Performance Spaces: The venue comprises the Empire Black Box, a stripped-down, multi-purpose space ideal for smaller music events, film screenings, and non-musical or theatrical productions (with a capacity of 90). Additionally, it includes "Psychic Readings," an intimate multi-purpose space (capacity 40) perfect for smaller, up-close-and-personal events, serving as a home for groups like the Providence Improv Guild. The broader AS220 complex also features the Main Stage at 115 Empire Street for larger events.
Workshops and Classes: 95 Empire is a "learning place," offering a wide range of workshops, classes, talk-backs, and artist-talks. These educational opportunities are aimed at developing skills, creating awareness, and fostering critical discourse around various art forms.
Artist Support and Development: The venue provides a vital "forum and home for work" for artists of all levels, supporting their creative endeavors by offering performance spaces and resources that might be difficult to access from traditional sources due to financial or other limitations.
Four Primary Series: Programming is often organized under distinct series: "Screens" (film), "Sounds" (music/audio), "Live" (performance/theater), and "Residence" (artist-in-residency showcases), providing a structured yet diverse calendar of events.
Community Engagement: Beyond performances, 95 Empire and AS220 are deeply committed to fostering community through the arts, providing spaces and programs that connect people through movement, ideas, and shared creative experiences.

95 Empire, as a key component of AS220, is distinguished by several unique features and highlights that underscore its importance as a cultural institution in Rhode Island. Its core values and operational philosophy create an environment unlike many other performing arts venues.

Unjuried and Uncensored Access: This is a foundational principle of AS220, meaning artists are not subjected to a panel or censorship board to present their work. This commitment ensures a truly open platform for diverse artistic voices and experimental forms, fostering a vibrant and sometimes edgy arts scene.
Artist-Centric Philosophy: 95 Empire prioritizes supporting artists, providing them with affordable and accessible spaces to create, rehearse, and perform. This dedication helps cultivate a thriving local arts community by removing common barriers to artistic expression.
Commitment to Accessibility and Affordability: The venue strives to make both its programming and its educational offerings accessible and affordable for both artists and audiences, aligning with AS220's broader mission of "access for all."
Multi-Disciplinary Focus: Unlike venues dedicated to a single art form, 95 Empire actively embraces and features work in theatre, dance, film, literary arts, sound-art, and hybrid forms, offering a rich and varied cultural experience for local audiences.
Integral Part of AS220's Ecosystem: 95 Empire benefits from being part of the larger AS220 organization, which also includes live/work studios, galleries, a print shop, darkroom, media lab, and a restaurant/bar. This integrated approach creates a comprehensive arts ecosystem in downtown Providence.
Community-Oriented and Liberatory Practices: AS220, and by extension 95 Empire, is built on principles of community, inclusivity, creative liberation, freedom of expression, racial justice, joy, love, and kindness, creating a welcoming and empowering space for all who engage with it.

For information regarding upcoming events, performance schedules, or general inquiries about 95 Empire and its programming, please use the contact information below. We encourage you to reach out and experience the diverse arts offerings available in our Rhode Island community.

Address: 95 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903, USA

Phone: (401) 831-9327

For residents across Providence and the wider Rhode Island region, 95 Empire stands as an indispensable cultural asset. What makes it particularly suitable for locals is its deep-rooted commitment to being an unjuried, uncensored, and highly accessible platform for diverse artistic expression. In a world where artistic access can often be limited, 95 Empire, through AS220, offers a refreshing alternative, ensuring that local artists have a place to develop and showcase their work, and that local audiences have affordable opportunities to engage with innovative performances across multiple disciplines—from experimental theatre and dance to unique film screenings and live music. It's not just a venue; it's a vital part of Providence's creative ecosystem, fostering community, encouraging critical discourse, and celebrating the power of art to unite and inspire. By attending an event or participating in a workshop at 95 Empire, you're not just enjoying a performance; you're directly supporting the vibrant and inclusive arts scene that makes Rhode Island such a unique place to live.