more info on applying/curriculum/facilities/faculty/visiting artists + critics

The two-year MFA program in Painting emphasizes critical and artistic development through a focus on studio work. The department nurtures the potential of each student by promoting strong visual skills, keen critical reasoning and a clear understanding of historical, analytical and social contexts.

The faculty encourages students to engage in an individual search for meaning and representation. Ideas rooted in the tradition of the medium are examined and exchanged, challenged and refined. Freedom of expression is highly encouraged as students explore both the possibil- ities and realities of painting. The ultimate objective of the program is for each student to develop direction, purpose and critical skills — all necessary for the creation of art and the individual’s future as an artist.

Throughout their two years in residence at RISD, graduate students in Painting engage in critical dialogue with faculty, visiting artists and peers while participating in group and individual critiques, seminar courses, lectures and field trips. The program culminates in the completion of a mature body of work accompanied by a written thesis. The studio component of the thesis project is included in the annual Graduate Thesis Exhibition.

Individual Painting studios are located in the Fletcher Building, a recently renovated facility in downtown Providence. Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Glass graduate studios are also housed in the building, which offers a woodshop, computer lab and spaces for student exhibitions and group critiques.