Through the Center for the Advancement of Art + Design Education, housed in the Department of Art Education, RISD offers programs that capitalize on outstanding faculty and innovative partnerships with public schools and community-based arts centers and organizations. The department faculty actively participate in K-12 school-based reform — most notably through professional development programming for practicing teachers.

The Education staff of The RISD Museum offers workshops and exhibition previews developed for teachers. These programs make suggestions for integrating art into the classroom, for preparing a class for a Museum visit and for personal enrichment.