Since its founding in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design, (or RISD, the abbreviated shorthand by which we have become well-known) has earned a worldwide reputation as the preeminent college for the study of art and design in this country.
RISD enrolls 2,260 students from all areas of the United States and more than 44 countries around the world. Guided by a faculty of more than 440 outstanding artists, designers, architects and academics, students major in undergraduate and graduate programs in 18 disciplines.
Located in Providence, RISD’s campus of 41 buildings shares its location in the historic College Hill neighborhood with Brown University.
RISD’s 18,000 alumni have established successful careers as designers for business and industry, exhibiting fine artists and craftspeople, and practicing architects. However because a RISD education stress intellectual growth and problem-solving abilities, our graduates have been able to apply their skills successfully in other creative areas – as gallery owners, publishers, art administrators and teachers, entrepreneurs, business owners, performers and musicians. The College maintains an active Alumni and Career Services Office to assist students with career counseling and business skills development throughout their college years and later as alumni.
