At Rhode Island School of Design, you’ll join a creative project that started in 1877

Student crouching and working on a large yellow and green painting in a painting studio.
Wooden architectural model being thrown into sky by one hand.
View of RISD’s main building, 20 Washington Place, at dusk. Building is a mix of traditional brickwork and contemporary architectural elements.

RISD is a college and museum located in Providence, Rhode Island

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Overhead shot of two hands placing blocks on a graphic wooden and painted architectural model.
Image of student dressed in black performing in a white studio space with a laptop, three microphones, two speakers. An orange sits next to the student.

An immersive, cross-disciplinary environment where making begins with a question

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We generate and challenge the ideas that shape our future

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Painting by alum Jon Key of a Black man in a purple suit in fetal position against a red background. The suit is composed of geometric purple squares.
Alum Tanya Aguiñiga in a suit and mask made of flesh-toned neoprene, glass and metal, walking the length of the border wall in the southern US.
Michael Maltzan - Architectural rendering of the Sixth Street Bridge which is made up of a series of arches over the Los Angeles river.
Painting by alum Jon Key of a Black man in a purple suit in fetal position against a red background. The suit is composed of geometric purple squares.
Alum Tanya Aguiñiga in a suit and mask made of flesh-toned neoprene, glass and metal, walking the length of the border wall in the southern US.
Michael Maltzan - Architectural rendering of the Sixth Street Bridge which is made up of a series of arches over the Los Angeles river.
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Upcoming events

purple still from experimental Williams film
1:10–3 pm  |  Oct 15
Sculpture Lecture: Stephanie Williams

The filmmaker/educator and RISD alum discusses her work navigating hierarchies of taste and unpacking how constructed histories affect contemporary social coding. 

abstract image of a head
5–6 pm  |  Oct 17
Visiting Curator Sarah Montross

The Painting department welcomes the associate curator at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. (image: Harold Tovish, Head)

image of Aggrey playing standup bass
6–7:15 pm  |  Oct 17
Performance: Kweku Aggrey Sextet

The RISD Museum presents an ensemble performance of original works celebrating the rich history of Black storytelling. 

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Civic Engagement and Conversation

Lifting Every Voice

Throughout the fall RISD is offering diverse programming across campus to give us a deeper appreciation for the variety of ways those in the RISD community live in and experience the world. From a voter registration drive to workshops and events centered on dialogue and understanding, each provides an opportunity to listen, share and learn across our differences.

Learn about the events and programs

photo of risd banners across canal walk

Lifting Every Voice

Throughout the fall RISD is offering diverse programming across campus to give us a deeper appreciation for the variety of ways those in the RISD community live in and experience the world. From a voter registration drive to workshops and events centered on dialogue and understanding, each provides an opportunity to listen, share and learn across our differences.

Learn about the events and programs

Latest stories

Hear more about RISD’s community of artists, designers and scholars.

a bird's-eye view of participants at New Lab event during Climate Week NYC 2024
RISD Showcases Sustainability Innovation During Climate Week NYC 2024

Events highlight the institution’s commitment to sustainable design research and demonstrate art and design’s potential to effect positive change. 

an architectural installation at Tillinghast glows in the twilit evening
Architect Debbie Chen Completes Yearlong Seed-Funded Research Project Focused on Water

Intermediary Softness, an installation investigating the slippery boundary between architecture and infrastructure, was built at Tillinghast Place earlier this fall.

Director of Research Soul Brown welcomes the audience
RISD Research Presents Projects by Students, Faculty and Alums Integrating Art, Design and Science

Director of Research Soul Brown hosts A I R Showcase of Arts, Innovation and Research as part of DESIGN WEEK RI.

a sign inside a RISD window that spells out V-O-T-E
RISD Launches Lift Every Voice Civic Engagement Series

New programming promotes healthy discourse and proactive, ethical action across campus and beyond.

model of a shelter designed using nature-inspired design principles
RISD x Hyundai Motor Group Collaborative Continues to Produce Compelling Research

Students in two spring 2023 studios used scientific methodologies combined with design thinking to explore collaborative future living.

see more stories

Thank you to all of the artists and designers whose work is featured here. From top to bottom: Bhen Allen MFA 22 PT (photo by Jo Sittenfeld MFA 08 PH), Alexander Kern BArch 21, photo of 20 Washington Place by Bruce Damonte, Kaori Yasunaga 21 FAV, Kunyue Qi BArch 21 & Jen Chenyu Zhang BArch 21, Qihang Li 20 PR, Meredith Binnette 20 FAV, Miguel Enrique Lastra MFA 22 CR, Jon Key 13 GD, Nickole Klarou 21 FAV, Tanya Aguiñiga MFA 05 FD (photo by Gina Clyne), Jackie Oh 22 AP/FAV, Michael Maltzan BArch 85 (image courtesy of Michael Maltzan Architecture), Julia Chien 22 FAV.