PVD World Music Institute

Providence World Music Institute (PVD World Music) is a community-centered 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Providence, RI. Our mission is to celebrate, promote, and preserve the rich musical traditions and arts of African refugee and immigrant communities in Rhode Island. Our vision is to safeguard and shine a light on the intangible cultural heritage of African and Indigenous peoples. We bring cultural enrichment to underserved communities through our flagship programs—such as the Annual African Film and Art Festival, monthly World Music Concert Series, and Research and Instrument Exhibitions. Guided by Afrocentric values and Indigenous solidarity, we were founded in 2019 by Chance Kinyange Boas, a Burundian refugee from Tanzania. Our work fosters intergenerational learning, multicultural exchange, and community advocacy, connecting youth, elders, and diverse New England communities through the arts. ​