Experience the arts wherever you are

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In partnership with Steer PVD, FirstWorks is creating new ways for the arts to propel learning as Rhode Island schools, teachers and parents work to continue educating students through online, distance learning.

The FirstWorks Education Program specifically links to core curriculum by tethering the arts to traditional academics such as English Language Arts (ELA), Science, Social Studies, and through STEAM and STEM focused learning.

Visit this page to access digital learning resources which include unique video content featuring world class artists. Accompanying activities and assignments are aligned to core curricula standards.

Explore our available lessons below and share your experiences at #firstworksartslearning

A bearded man in a turban smiling with his hand raised to emphasize what he is saying
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Virtual Learning with Fidel Nadal

Virtual Learning Series

NEW! LATIN REGGAE LEGEND FIDEL NADAL

ELA/Spanish, Music Lesson Gr. 9-12

Through the music of Fidel Nadal, students will work to create songs that reflect our collective journey towards liberation in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A woman with colorful eye makeup framing her face with her hands
Link

Virtual Learning with Sofia Viola

Virtual Learning Series

NEW! ARGENTINA’S SOFIA VIOLA

ELA, Spanish Language, Music Lesson Gr. 6-8

Take a virtual journey to Buenos Aires, where vocalist Sofía Viola introduces us to the instruments that she uses in her songwriting in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A group of women wearing white and holding up signs reading what they Rise Up for: Love, Justice, Equality
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Rise Up with Syncopated Ladies

Virtual Learning Series

RISE UP!
WITH SYNCOPATED LADIES

Videos and lessons for grades 1-12

Fierce Footwork. Female Force! Join the founders of Syncopated Ladies, Emmy nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold & Maud Arnold to watch their video “Rise Up,” inspired by Andra Day’s song of the same name. The Ladies were inspired to create a dance that focused on women’s rights and getting all people out to vote.
Man with glasses and a short beard seated on a set of steps
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Virtual Learning with Eric Nathan

Virtual Learning Series

COMPOSER ERIC NATHAN

History/ELA/Vis. Arts/Music Lesson Gr. 9-12

Learn how the Civil War-era correspondence between poet Emily Dickinson and abolitionist Thomas Wentworth Higginson influenced composer Eric Nathan’s music in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
Dancer in grey costume en pointe with arm outstretched
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Virtual Learning Work out with Jillian Davis

Virtual Learning Series

WORK OUT WITH DANCER JILLIAN DAVIS

Phys Ed/Dance/Math/ELA lesson for K-12

Learn how to work out like a professional ballet dancer with Jillian Davis from Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Collage image of a silhouette of a woman against a mandala background with a baby in front of her
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Virtual Learning Miwa Matreyek II

Virtual Learning Series

ANIMATOR MIWA MATREYEK
Part II

Science/ELA lesson & activity for grades 5-12

Watch excerpts from a performance at the cross section of the cinematic and theatrical and learn about Sea Level Rise and Climate Change in this video lesson with learn at home activities.
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Virtual Learning eVenti Verticali

Virtual Learning Series

ITALY’S EVENTI VERTICALI

Physics, ELA & Dance lesson for grades 4-12

Explore Newton’s laws of force and motion and watch a stunning Vertical Theater performance performed on an aerial stage high in the air over Providence.
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Virtual Learning Consuelo Sherba Yang Wei

Virtual Learning Series

MUSICIANS CONSUELO SHERBA
AND YANG WEI

Music/ELA lesson & activity for grades 6-12

Discover the intersection of Eastern and Western Music in this lesson with accompanying video featuring violist Consuelo Sherba, Artistic Director of Aurea Ensemble and Yang Wei, a celebrated virtuoso on the pipa, and member of the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma.
Silhouette of a woman holding a tiny person in her hand against a backdrop of animated ocean with fish and a large full moon
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Virtual Learning Miwa Matreyek

Virtual Learning Series

ANIMATOR MIWA MATREYEK

Science/ELA lesson & activity for grades 8-12

Watch excerpts from a performance at the cross-section of the cinematic and theatrical, fantastical and tangible, illusionistic and physical and learn about Global Temperature Changes and Greenhouse Effect in this video lesson and activities for grades 8-12.
Stage with birch trees and two puppeteers acting with a deer puppet and a crane puppet
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Virtual Learning Heather Henson

Virtual Learning Series

PUPPET ARTIST HEATHER HENSON

Science/ELA lesson & activity for grades K-6

Watch excerpts from a puppetry spectacle rooted in indigenous culture, and learn about turtle conservation, bird migration and the interconnectedness between humans and nature with Heather Henson, the founder of IBEX Puppetry and daughter of Muppets Creator Jim Henson.
Link

Virtual Learning Yang Wei

Virtual Learning Series

PIPA VIRTUOSO YANG WEI

Music/ELA lesson & activity for grades 6-12

Discover the Silk Road in this lesson with accompanying video featuring Yang Wei, a professional musician and a celebrated virtuoso on the pipa, a Chinese string instrument dating back 2,000 years. Yang Wei has performed worldwide as a soloist with various orchestras and ensembles, including the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma.