Crystal Williams
As our 18th president, Crystal Williams leads RISD in advancing and amplifying the power of art and design in a changing world, and fostering a campus and community that centers equity and inclusion in all we are and do.
A forward-looking dream
“We are galvanized to create art and design spaces, classrooms, and practices that reflect the full breadth of human dynamism and a belief that what makes us distinct from one another is precisely our strength.”
— from President Williams’ October 7, 2022 inauguration address
A vision for teaching and learning
Informing President Williams’ work and leadership is her belief in RISD’s responsibility to amplify the talents of our students, and respond to their needs.
Select interviews
“Young creatives... have all the intelligence and ingenuity we need to solve our challenges and advance what is good, right and just among our species.” (Design Milk, Jun 30, 2023)
“The art world is becoming more inclusive. But as with all change there is much to do and a long way to go… ” (The Public’s Radio, Feb 2, 2023)
“We need all artists speaking with the fullness of their voice... . This is one of the ways we might be able to find our way back to one another.” (Rhode Island Monthly, Sep 19, 2022)
Community announcements
May 9, 2024
Washington Place update
Dear RISD Community,
The students who were occupying the second floor have vacated the building.
Public Safety and Facilities staff members were in the building and ensured that everyone safely exited the building. Washington Place is now closed.
Our focus is now on enabling students with work in the building to retrieve it and then to conduct a restorative justice process to restore the space and address the harm that was done.
From the start of this situation, I have affirmed that peaceful protest, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression are the bedrock of our art and design community. We continue to respect and uphold these values.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 9, 2024
Occupation of 20 Washington Place update
May 9, 2024
Dear RISD Community,
I am writing briefly regarding the students on the second floor of 20 Washington Place. Facilities and maintenance staff have helped clear ingress and egress, and we thank the students for allowing us to ensure that we operate safely. Public Safety has been respectful and caring over the last several days, and we appreciate their dedication to students' well-being.
There are two distinct issues in play at the moment. One is the protest regarding Gaza. One is the occupation of the second floor of Washington Place. This update regards the latter.
As I wrote on Tuesday evening, denying access to student work at Rhode Island School of Design, especially after multiple requests by the artists themselves, faculty, and staff, is contrary to our institutional values. The student work on the second floor, some of which was intended to be showcased at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair next weekend, has been jeopardized. Grant applications have been missed because the work to support the application is in the space; Finals work is in the space; Crit spaces have been inaccessible, impacting other students' education, etc. Their occupation of the academic space and refusal to allow students and faculty to retrieve their work oppose our college's mission and code of conduct.
Now, we are notifying students on the second floor of the following:
1. They may vacate the space by 2:30 pm and undergo a restorative justice process. This process is designed to be fair and just, ensuring that all parties are heard and respected. Students will be responsible for returning the space—including all furniture, walls, projects, bathrooms, etc.—to its original state by tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, meet with students and faculty whom their actions have immediately negatively impacted, listen to the impact of their actions and engage in respectful dialog, and reimburse those who have spent personal funds on no longer viable projects as a result of the occupation.
a. If students vacate by 2:30 p.m. and the above restorative justice conditions are not met, students will be held accountable under the current conduct codes.
2. If students do not vacate the space by 2:30 pm, we will proceed with expulsion from Rhode Island School of Design.
Lastly, I want to reiterate that peaceful protest, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression are not just important; they are the bedrock of our art and design community. We respect and uphold these values. As long as they are peaceful and do not break conduct or civic codes, the individuals outside of 20 Washington Place are free to remain there as they have been for the past few days.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 9, 2024
Ensuring safety in 20 Washington Place
Dear RISD students occupying the second floor of 20 Washington Place,
The barricades on the second floor of 20 Washington Place violate multiple Rhode Island Fire Codes. We need you to create a means of egress and ingress by 12:00 pm.
We are sending RISD facilities and maintenance staff to help you create a means of ingress and egress that is in compliance with Rhode Island state law. I implore you to work with them to achieve this outcome. We will not use this moment to otherwise enter the space.
Let me reiterate, there is no circumstance where I want external law enforcement entities to engage with students who are peacefully protesting. However, we do need your cooperation. The safety of everyone in the building is at risk. (To that end, we have closed 20 Washington Place to all who do not work in this building and have encouraged most to work from home as an added precaution.)
This violation cannot continue. Fire Marshals are waiting to ensure that means of ingress and egress are in evidence. Please work with us to ensure that intervention by the Fire Marshals and their colleagues is unnecessary.
Thank you.
Crystal Williams
President (she/her)
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RISD students, staff, and faculty
RISD members of SJP leadership
Get to know RISD
Learn what drives all we do—as an institution and an engaged creative community.
See how our current creative practices respond to the critical social, political and environmental challenges we face today.
Look back at how RISD’s commitment to art and design education has evolved since our 1877 founding.