Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
The Arts at Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) stands as a globally renowned leader in visual arts, design, and creative innovation.
All RISD first-year students participate in Experimental and Foundation Studies, immersing in drawing, design, and spatial dynamics before branching into majors. Advanced programs span fine arts, design, and digital media. Notable offerings include Glass, Film/Animation/Video, Interior Architecture, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Industrial Design, and Sound.
RISD’s campus features world-class facilities, including fabrication labs, woodshops, print shops, digital media suites, and an innovative Edna Lawrence Nature Lab that bridges art, science, and biodesign. Gallery venues like Woods-Gerry (undergraduate), Gelman (student-curated), and Sol Koffler (graduate) offer practical curating and exhibition experience. The RISD Museum, housed in the iconic Chace Center, holds over 100,000 global works and serves as a cornerstone for teaching, research, and public engagement. RISD is committed to connecting creative practice with civic engagement and public impact through the RISD Public Engagement Lab, which encourages students to use design to address social, environmental, and urban challenges through real-world partnerships. Annual events such as the RISD Grad Show and Open Studios showcase student work to the public, attracting curators, alumni, employers, and collaborators from around the world.
From furniture design to film/animation/video and textiles to sculpture, RISD provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary environment where creativity is a method of research and inquiry.
