What is the Annex?      

In April, 2012 Providence College began leasing 1,000 square feet of space in the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation’s Capitol Square development on Douglas Avenue. The deceptively simple purpose of the space is fostering conversation between members of the campus and community, which we expect will result in increased mutual understanding and opportunities for collaboration.  The Annex takes literally the challenge of public scholar Margaret Wheatley, who argues that, by “turning to one another” and engaging in sometimes difficult conversations, we can “begin to restore hope to the future”. 

The Annex is intended to be a space for campus/community dialogue and collaboration. It supports immediate, short-term initiatives like potlucks, speak outs, exhibitions and meetings. It also supports courses, workshops and retreats of campus and community groups, and ongoing projects that serve campus and community. 

Priority is given to uses that involve both campus and community members, and to uses that grow out of, or have the potential to become, longer-term partnerships. Priority is given to people representing established organizations with which the College has a relationship; the Annex may be used by individuals, rather than organizations, for specific purposes at the discretion of the College.

Routine decisions about use of the Annex will be made by the co-coordinators of the Annex; when questions arise, they will be brought to the Annex’s management and/or advisory committees for guidance. Scheduling use of the Annex begins by contacting the co-coordinators.​