Roger C. Bergenheim, publisher of the Providence Business News, is midway through his two-year term as President of First Night Providence. It is his good fortune to be presiding over the state’s largest arts festival and its premier New Year’s Eve event as the new millennium nears. He talks about the importance of the collaboration of business and art to the community’s cultural future.
Why is First Night important to Providence and to business?
Every successful city has to have a lively cultural center. Businesses see that the arts have to be part of the mix or they end up with a city with good business but without much life. As First Night becomes more of an institution, corporations realize that the festival is the soul of the community.
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Why do you think First Night is so popular?
One of the most important reasons is the festival’s family focus. A lot of families look forward to something they can take their children to and where they don’t have to worry about alcohol. Corporations see the event as a way to promote themselves and do something nice for employees and their community. Cardi’s, the furniture company that has sponsored the fireworks display for the past two years, is a great case in point.
What role has First Night played in the rebirth of Providence?
The arts have become the centerpiece of Providence, with the mayor emphasizing their importance downtown and a lot of the corporate community realizing they are a great economic booster for Rhode Island. They bring activity downtown and make the quality of life that much better. Every year more and more people are looking at Providence as a place they can come to without fear. Thanks to the various improvements in the city, including better lighting, the new riverfront, a new ice skating rink in Kennedy Plaza, people are surprised at how safe, clean and friendly the city is. First Night has been a key factor in drawing thousands of people — many of whom might not have come otherwise — into the city to experience how festive it is and how much there is to do. First Night is also the biggest showcase of Rhode Island’s diverse artistic talents.
Do you think corporate Rhode Island will spend the money necessary to make First Night 2000 the memorable event it deserves to be?
Most corporations and individuals already see 2000 as something special. In order to realize our dreams for a bigger and better festival this year, we are going to have to raise substantially more money, about double what we normally do. We have some wonderful surprises in store; all they need is funding. First Night 2000 is a great way for companies to showcase themselves and Rhode Island. Providence is our capital city, so the plan is to engage all of Rhode Island in this celebration, to make it a statewide event.
