Commencement is a vibrant celebration that culminates the RISD experience. Graduates typically take the opportunity to transform their caps and gowns in idiosyncratic ways – by painting, shredding, reimagining and embellishing them to make a more personal artistic statement or simply to have fun with this colorful RISD tradition. Other students choose to forego wearing caps or gowns altogether.

The 2012 Commencement ceremony will be held on June 2nd at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence, adjacent to the space that houses the annual RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition. For more about where to stay and what the weekend entails, visit www.risd.edu/commencement 

RISD Commencement 2012
Saturday, June 2, 1:30 pm
Rhode Island Convention Center
One Sabin Street, Providence, RI (map)

Times
The graduate student hooding ceremony will take place at 8:30 am. (doors open at 8 am). Doors open for general seating starting at 12:30 pm. Reception to follow in Market Square. Rehearsal will take place Friday, June 1 at 10 am and is mandatory for all graduating students.

Departmental receptions
Departmental receptions are planned by each department for the afternoon or the evening of Friday, June 1, and parents and students are invited to attend. Information about these will be released by the departments in April so please check back for updates.

Hotels
Please plan to reserve accommodations well in advance since hotels in the area fill up quickly. Take advantage of a limited number of rooms reserved for RISD families at a reduced rate at The Providence Biltmore & The Westin Providence and learn more about what to do in Providence.

Invitations
Commencement invitations will be sent to families in April. In the meantime, please address any questions to Student Affairs at 401 454-6600 or commencement@risd.edu 

Read more about the celebrations and watch video of keynote and student speakers from Commencement 2011 »