Providing Lifelong Learning in Rhode Island for 40 years
Lifelong Learning Collaborative (LLC, formerly BCLIR) was established in 1984 as the Brown Community of Learning in Retirement, and has been an active educational model for lifelong learning for over three decades.
In May of 2008, we became an independent 503(c)(3) non-profit organization, an umbrella for continuing lifelong learning education in the Providence area. Most of our in-person classes meet at Temple Beth-El.
Key Dates for Upcoming Semesters
"I have had the opportunity to learn subjects I never had the time to explore."
Wintersession 2024 – Jan 8
Spring 2024 – Mar 18
Summersession 2024 – Jun 24
Fall 2024 – Sep 9
Dates are approximate
Fall 2023
Catalog | Class Calendar | Class Websites | Printable Registration Form* | Propose a Course | Registration Policy
*Registrations received by postal mail will not be processed until 2 PM on the day registration opens, as administrative time permits. Therefore, spaces are not guaranteed if your class selection fills up prior to 2 PM. We strongly encourage you to register online and early.
RECORDING POLICY: LLC does not permit recording of classes due to the resulting inhibition of free and comfortable exchange of ideas and opinions. Any exceptions must be approved by the LLC President.
Cover artwork, “Trees” (alcohol ink on Yupo paper), was painted by Bobbie Cohen in our Open Studio Art class this winter. Bobbie was excited to discover alcohol inks in class and finds it freeing to work with them, although she still enjoys using watercolors and oil paints. She also loves to write and continues to participate in a weekly writing workshop group on Zoom that was started years ago in New York. Bobbie and her husband Eric (also a LLC member) moved to Providence two years ago from New York and their transition was much smoother because of LLC – learning new things and making new friends has made them feel right at home. In that short time, Bobbie has taken thirteen classes on art and theater.
Click to view/print the Fall 2023 catalog (PDF).
Most classes started the week of September 11.
NOTE: Due to increased Temple costs and other expenses, we are forced to raise our course fees. Thanks for your understanding!
We’re pleased to offer Zoom* courses and in-person courses this semester at Temple Beth-El (70 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI 02906). COVID vaccination is a mandatory requirement for attending in-person classes. By the act of registering for an in-person class you will be attesting to being vaccinated. Masks are optional in the Temple and classrooms, and classrooms will be at less than full capacity. We’ll keep current with trends and regulations and may change as needed.
*Zoom is easy to use and free to class members. If you have not used Zoom, here is a helpful introduction video.
For direct links to register, click the course titles below.
In-person classes at Temple Beth-El (TBE) are in BOLD.
Mondays
Open Studio Art (AM) 
How the Great Depression Shaped Modern America (AM)
An Immense World (AM)
Historical Novel Book Club 2023-2024 (PM)
Inspirational Women Leaders (PM)
Tuesdays
Luminous Things: Poetry by the Big Six, Section 1 (AM)
Luminous Things: Poetry by the Big Six, Section 2 (AM)
We’ll Always Have Düsseldorf: Investigating Europe’s Lesser-Known Cities (AM)
Lend Me Your Ears: Classical Music in the 20th Century (PM)
Cell Phone Photography Club (PM)
Scrabble Social Club (PM)
Wednesdays
Helping Kids Learn: Tutoring at the Veazie Street School (AM)
United States Supreme Court Decisions, 2020-2022 (AM)
Reading Aloud: Modern Plays About Gender and Power (AM)
Hot Topics (PM)
LLC Knits (PM)
Thursdays
Winter Waterfowl of RI – Up Close! (AM)
Theater Conversations (AM)
Where I Was From: Joan Didion & Your Hometown (PM)
Writing a Memoir (PM)
Paintings in Café Culture in Paris: 1860 to 1890 (PM)
Photographic Journey: Working on A Personal Project, Section 1 (9/14-10/5) (PM) /TBE
Photographic Journey: Working on A Personal Project, Section 2 (10/19-11/9) (PM) /TBE
Fridays
Living in a Material World: The Social Lives of Objects (AM)
Get Fit at Home (AM)
Class Calendar