Activism 2020-Present

Content warning: language, racism, violence

Posters, pop-up public art, produced videos, information sessions and lists of public demands show a direct response to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement and racial and social equity protests rising up throughout the US and across the globe. Students stood with striking RISD staff members in spring 2023. There is acknowledgement of current systems within art, education and community that perpetuate white supremacy.

White-poster-on-wall

White-poster-on-wall

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Red-poster-on-street-lamp

Red-poster-on-street-lamp

A crowd of people stand together outdoors while playing percussion instruments as part of a protest demonstration

People march through the street holding a large banner that reads "Student Worker Solidarity! Forever."

many colorful fliers hang on the outside walls of a building with the words "PAY NOW" displayed in a pair of windows

RISD initiatives

An anti-racist action plan that built upon the 2017 SEI Action Plan was launched. This includes a cluster hire of 10 new faculty and the establishment of the Office of Institutional Discrimination among many other initiatives. An institutional accountability page on RISD.edu was launched to provide the community with regular updates on progress made.

Get to know RISD

layer of rust-colored sheets with words and phrases like “struggle of being us”, “preservation” and “rage” written atop them

Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI)

Learn about the center and its support of equity and inclusion initiatives at RISD.

students walking on the sidewalk in front of the red brick Waterman Building on RISD’s campus

Mission and values

Learn what drives all we do—as an institution and an engaged creative community.

risd graduating class of 1902 black and white historical photo

RISD Archives

Explore the collection and learn more about RISD’s history and how it has changed over time.