» RISD Summer Programs
register now for a variety of programs in all disciplines, for all ages and interests

» Student, Alums Earn Fulbright Grants
one senior and two recent alumni have the opportunity to study abroad

» Zynsky a Craft Fellow
American Craft Council names Toots Zynsky '73 SC/GL to its College of Fellows

» Maeda Makes, Believes
the president in Print on how "the tangible" informs everything at RISD

» RISD Illustrators Honored by NY Society
students/alums win awards and Tom Sgouros '50 IL is a Distinguished Educator

» our.risd.edu
read all of our posts about all things RISD

Last month President Maeda met with alumni and other friends at Heath Ceramics in Los Angeles and at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco, where he talked about what's going on at RISD and listened to ideas and suggestions from participants. He also presented his Triangle of Engagement to encourage people to spread the word about RISD, hire RISD students and alumni, and support the school financially. This evening the president is hosting a similar gathering at the Knoll Showroom in Boston and next month he'll meet New York-area alumni at Martha Stewart Living in Manhattan on May 14. Click here to RSVP for the NYC event.

Two entertainment industry luminaries visit RISD this month as part of the Alumni Lecture Series sponsored by Alumni Relations. On April 21 Scott Mednick '78 GD, chairman of MysticVision Entertainment and executive producer of Where the Wild Things Are, 10,000 BC and 300, among many other movies, will speak about his compelling projects at 6:30pm in the Chace Center's Metcalf Auditorium. And on April 28, director Gus Van Sant '75 FAV will share stories about making his most recent film Milk at 7pm in the RISD Auditorium.

On April 30, alumni of RISD's Innovation Studio and the campus community will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular studio taught by Landscape Architecture Critic Charlie Cannon. The day-long event at the BEB (231 South Main Street; open to the public) kicks off at 1pm with panel discussions on research at RISD and collaborative teaching and practice. Rounding out the day is an exhibition showcasing related research and an evening presentation by artist/environmentalist Michael Singer, who co-taught the first Innovation Studio.

Are you looking for funding to start or keep a small business open? Alumni in Rhode Island and Massachusetts may qualify for the new S.E.E.D. Micro Loan program, which offers low rates for loans from $1,000 to $35K. If you live somewhere else, check Federal MicroLoan Information for a similar program near you.

Collection 2009, this year's runway show of work produced in Apparel Design, is May 16 (7pm) at Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in Providence, with a 2pm preview performance. Students will sell selections from their wonderful handmade clothing on Sunday, May 17 at noon in the RISD Auditorium lobby.

The Silk Road Ensemble, headed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, completed their 2009 winter residency at RISD last month. Click here for a slideshow and more information on the residency, which included a presentation by Henrik Soderstrom '08 FD, who designed the evocative set for the Ensemble's latest production.