I’m coming to the conclusion that Providence would not be the special city it is without two particular colleges: Johnson & Wales University and Rhode Island School of Design. Brown is Ivy League and outstanding, but RISD and Johnson & Wales may be responsible for the culture.
Johnson & Wales turns out excellent chefs year after year, and many seem to start restaurants locally. (Oh, the lunches I’m having!) RISD, meanwhile, produces and draws to itself all sorts of designers and artists, who not only create art but seem to imbue the environment with creative ways of thinking about challenges.
Everywhere you go, there is something surprising — gigantic murals, fantastical clocks, robot sculptures, narrow building slices being converted into business spaces. Even the historical plaques are artistic.
Look at this crazy, skinny building, for example. Most of the old structure was sliced off and the empty space used for a parking lot. But a local revolving fund is helping to renovate the remaining building for offices and snack bars. It’s a building one room wide.
The plaques illustrating the city’s history are at One Financial Plaza.
I can only guess what is meant by the reference to rapping in Esperanto in the giant quote, but I had to take the photo since I used to speak the language.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Fifty five years ago I wanted to go RISD but after visiting Providence with my mother I concluded that the city was just too run down and dangerous for me to feel safe there. Someone tried to snatch my mother’s purse, there were bums living on the streets and trash was everywhere. It is so nice to see the change. My whole life’s trajectory would have been different if I had visited the Providence of today.
It’s still in transition, but now is a good time to be there.