Graduate Admissions Events
Hosted each fall by the Admissions team, our in-person and online events give you an excellent intro to RISD graduate programs, life in Providence, how to apply and more.
Upcoming events
Nov 5
Graduate Architecture Programs Faculty Panel | Portfolio Tips
10 am EDT
Nov 7
Graduate Campus Tour (in-person)
Nov 12
Liberal Arts Faculty Panel | Teaching + Learning in Art + Design and Global Arts and Culture
4:30–5:30 pm
Join us for a peek into the graduate student experience from the perspective of faculty in RISD’s Liberal Arts division.
Nov 14
Intro to Grad Study - Portfolio Q&A with Admissions (online)
12-1 pm EDT
Join members of the RISD Admissions team for an introduction to our graduate programs, learning resources, community and campus. We'll also describe the steps to apply for admission and financial aid. This session will provide tips specifically for the portfolio.
Nov 18–21
Online open house events
Our graduate open house features a week-long series of online webinars that highlight RISD's academic experiences and opportunities. View the full webinar itinerary through the registration link below.
Nov 22
In-person open house
10 am–3 pm
20 Washington Place, Providence RI
Our in-person event includes panel discussions, meeting currents students and alumni, department meet ups and group tours across RISD's campus.
RISD Graduate Portfolio Days
RISD-hosted online portfolio day events are an opportunity for prospective graduate students to show your portfolio to a RISD representative and get a review from us before applying.
We look forward to connecting with you to critique your work and provide information about the school. Please note, we do not make admissions decisions or accept portfolios during RISD Graduate Portfolio Day events, nor do we require you to participate in one of these events or connect with anyone from the Admissions Office as part of the application process. Participation does not eliminate the need to submit your portfolio as part of our application requirements.
To register for one of our online events, click the link below and choose from the listed dates. Register early in the application process so that you have time to apply the feedback to your portfolio for application submission. We connect with as many attendees as the schedule of each event permits, but slots fill up quickly.
Fall 2024 Portfolio Days (all times 12–4 pm eastern)
- Friday, September 20, 2024
- Friday, October 4, 2024
- Friday, October 25, 2024
- Friday, November 8, 2024
- Friday, December 6, 2024
National Portfolio Days
RISD participates in Portfolio Day events sponsored by the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA). These events let prospective students present their portfolios to representatives from art and design colleges and university art departments. Artists and designers can gather a wide range of opinions and advice about their portfolios, which may help you strengthen your work and prepare their college applications.
We look forward to connecting with you to critique your work and provide information about RISD. Please note, however, that we do not make admissions decisions or accept portfolios during National Portfolio Day events, nor do we require you to participate in one of these events or connect with anyone from the Admissions Office as part of the application process. Participation does not eliminate the need to submit your portfolio as part of our application requirements.
Portfolio Day events, even online, can get very busy. We encourage you to prioritize RISD early on in your itinerary to increase the likelihood that we will be able to speak with you before the end of the event. We connect with as many visitors as the schedule of each event permits.
Fall 2024 RISD Graduate National Portfolio Day events
Chicago, IL Graduate National Portfolio Day — October 19, 10–2 PM CDT
New York, NY Graduate National Portfolio Day — November 10, 12–4 PM EST
Webinar archive
Intro to grad study
Join our Admissions team for an intro to RISD’s graduate programs, learning resources, community and campus. During this online session we will also describe the steps for applying for admission and financial aid in this online session.
Get to know RISD
Find answers to common questions about graduate degree programs and admission, including about eligibility, tuition and fees, international student-specific questions and more.
If you’re a prospective student interested in visiting RISD, we have options available for you to come to campus to learn more about our programs, studios and student life.
Graduate study at RISD brings together artists, designers and thinkers from around the world to research, experiment, create and push the possibilities of practice.