Annual events
While the RISD community is anything but traditional, annual events bring celebration, ritual and tradition to our campus. They are joyous, creative, colorful and satisfying, and remind us of our shared values.
Annual Events
Orientation
Upperclass students help design and run this series of programs to help new students feel ready for life at RISD.
RISD Weekend
Held in October, our alumni and parents’ weekend offers diverse programming and a juried sale of alumni and student work.
Artists’ Ball
Every fall close to Halloween, students dress up for a mashup of fun punctuated by plenty of music and dancing.
MLK Series
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., this series brings advocates for justice and equality to campus to reinforce our commitment to public engagement.
Open Studios
Towards the end of every semester, undergrads and grad students across the college invite people to RISD studios to see work in progress.
Graduate Thesis Exhibition
This public exhibition presents final bodies of thesis work and celebrates the achievements of RISD’s graduate community.
Commencement
Fun and relatively informal, this colorful ceremony offers a suitably celebratory salute to our newest art and design standouts.