Rhode Island Latino Arts

Rhode Island Latino Arts is the state's only Latino-based nonprofit organization. We educate the general public about the diverse Latin American arts and cultures and support the artists and cultural groups representing Latino countries. 

In summer 2020, we commissioned two artists to create a Museo del Barrio • Street Art / Sidewalk Art in front of two local businesses on Broad Street, Providence’s Latino Culture Corridor, in an effort to brighten the spirits of the residents and businesses of South Providence during COVID-19. 

According to numbers released by the R.I. Department of Public Health, 59% of COVID-19 cases in the state are Hispanic and Latino residents, primarily due to a lack of resources and support. RILA’s contribution to this disparity has been to commission artists to create designs placed six feet apart, to comply with social distancing requirements, and the messages provided/written on each design serve as reminders that the safety and well-being of residents is key. We put out a call for residents to join us in sweeping/cleaning the sidewalks and streets and then in painting the sidewalk murals. The project was well received and additional funding has been provided by a local funder to paint two more further down Broad Street, South Providence.

Our hope is to replicate this project in the City of Central Falls, where we have a satellite office, a city with 80% Latino population and is unfortunately referred to as a “hotbed” of coronavirus cases.