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WaterFire Faces Financial Challenges in Providence

The iconic WaterFire event lighting up the Providence riverside.

News Summary

Providence’s iconic WaterFire event is experiencing significant financial challenges, leading to potential changes as the organization seeks increased funding. With a reported loss of nearly $1 million in 2023 and a reduction in scheduled lightings, WaterFire aims to secure major donations and taxpayer contributions. Mayor Brett Smiley plans to double the city’s financial support, highlighting the event’s importance as an economic driver, supporting jobs and generating substantial tax revenue. The organization’s immediate future depends on securing funds to maintain its cultural impact and community events.

Providence is facing potential changes to its renowned WaterFire event as the organization seeks increased funding to address significant financial challenges. The iconic Rhode Island attraction is looking to wealthy donors and taxpayer contributions to sustain its operations following a decade of declining corporate donations, which have left it in a fragile financial state.

WaterFire’s interim executive director, Mark Allan, has reported that the organization lost nearly $1 million in 2023 alone. This financial strain has led to a historic low for the current season, with only six full lightings scheduled, compared to the usual 10 to 12 lightings in previous seasons. Each full lighting event costs between $80,000 and $100,000, factoring in essential logistical efforts and event maintenance.

As further evidence of financial distress, Allan noted that salary increases for WaterFire’s top leaders have surged, with the highest salaries reaching between $115,000 and $125,000. Overall salaries within the organization rose approximately 40% from the previous year, leaving little room for further budget cuts. Essential maintenance for the event has been neglected due to ongoing budget constraints.

Despite these challenges, the WaterFire Arts Center continues to operate with a small deficit, providing free community events that attract many visitors. Allan’s strategy moving forward is to focus on securing major donations from wealthy individuals, presenting a grand vision for the future of WaterFire rather than simply aiming to remain afloat.

In response to these financial difficulties, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has announced plans to double the city’s financial contribution to WaterFire from $50,000 to $100,000. The mayor emphasizes the importance of WaterFire as an economic driver for both the city and the state, noting that the event supports around 1,500 jobs and contributes approximately $15 million annually in tax revenue.

WaterFire has a significant cultural and economic footprint, attracting nearly a million visitors each year, which generates an estimated $162 million for the Rhode Island economy. The upcoming 2025 season will feature twelve evenings of events, starting from May 15 and running through New Year’s Eve, including six full lightings.

As WaterFire now charts a path forward, urgent financial strategies and community support are essential for ensuring its long-term viability and preserving this beloved Rhode Island tradition. The organization’s efforts to secure additional funds will be crucial to its mission of continuing to create cultural impact and support the local economy.