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Rhode Island School of Design Trustees Renew Contract for President John Maeda

02/27/2012

PROVIDENCE, RI –  The Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island School of Design and President John Maeda have agreed to extend President Maeda’s contract through June 30, 2015.

“Art and design is poised to transform society in the 21st century like science and technology did in the 20th century. The critical thinking and making that have long been taught in RISD’s studios will create a future that is both culturally and economically vibrant,” said Maeda. “I am honored to move forward in my work making a RISD education more financially accessible, supporting our academic programs, and advocating for the importance of adding art and design to turn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to STEAM.”

Merrill W. Sherman, chair of the Board of Trustees, commented, “We look forward to supporting and working with President Maeda and his team in the coming years as he continues to strengthen us internally as well as strengthen the role RISD plays as a global advocate for art and design.”

John Maeda is an artist, graphic designer, computer scientist and educator whose career reflects his philosophy of humanizing technology. A recipient of the National Design Award and represented in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, Maeda became president of Rhode Island School of Design in June 2008. Maeda taught media arts and sciences at MIT for 12 years and served as associate director of research at the MIT Media Lab. His books include The Laws of Simplicity, which has been translated into 14 languages. A native of Seattle, WA, Maeda earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT, followed by a PhD in Design Science from the University of Tsukuba Institute of Art and Design in Japan and an MBA from Arizona State University.

 About Rhode Island School of Design 

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has earned an international reputation as the leading college of art and design in the United States. Approximately 2,400 students from around the world study at RISD, pursuing full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in a choice of 19 studio majors. RISD is known for its phenomenal faculty of artists and designers, the breadth of its specialized facilities and its hands-on, studio-based approach to learning – one in which critical thinking informs making works by hand. Required courses in the liberal arts provide an essential complement to studio work, enabling graduates to become informed individuals eager to engage with the world. Through the accomplishments of its 26,000 alumni, the college champions the vital role artists and designers play in satisfying the global demand for innovation. Founded in 1877, RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”) and the RISD Museum of Art help make Providence, RI among the most culturally active and creative cities in the region. For more information, visit www.risd.edu or our.risd.edu.