RiverzEdge Arts Project is a social entrepreneurship youth development program that gives educationally and economically disenfranchised youth, ages 12-19, in northern Rhode Island paid employment in the arts. RiverzEdge engages them in a lifestyle of disciplined effort, creative expression and economic self-reliance.

RiverzEdge operates four studios providing services to businesses in the region and around the world: Graphic Design, Silkscreen, Digital Photography and Painting. Teen participants are trained in the latest industry practices on 17 Intel Mac workstations with the Adobe Creative Suite CS3 Professional applications.

RiverzEdge produce projects that range from websites and corporate identity, to seasonal cards, annual reports, brochures, professional studio portraits and silkscreened apparel.

History

RiverzEdge was founded by Harvard alumnus Michelle Novello in 2002, with 5 participants, a $5,000 budget and two studios—painting and graphic design. The program has grown steadily, adding a silkscreen studio in 2005 and digital photography in 2007.

Today, RiverzEdge serves over 100 youth annually with a budget close to $500,000. As the organization has grown, so too has its reputation. RiverzEdge was named a Citizens Bank Champion in Action in 2007 and more recently a "Coming Up Taller" Semifinalist by the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities.

Making a Difference

The key is empowerment—participants gain valuable creative and leadership skills and are empowered to make a difference through their art while earning commissions selling their work.

RiverzEdge students consistently graduate high school, and move ahead to college. Many have earned partial or full scholarships.

Businesses have benefited as well from the high quality, affordable, and speedy work produced by the enrollees.