Rhode Island School of Design
 Seal | |
Other name | RISD |
|---|---|
| Type | Private art and design school |
| Established | 1877 |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
Academic affiliations | AICAD, space-grant |
| Endowment | $465.5 million (2025) |
| President | Crystal Williams |
| Faculty | Student-to-faculty ratio 8:1 (fall 2025) |
| Students | 2,577 (spring 2026) |
| Undergraduates | 2,136 (spring 2026) |
| Postgraduates | 441 (spring 2026) |
| Location | , United States 41°49′37″N 71°24′24″W / 41.82694°N 71.40667°W |
| Campus |
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| Colors | RISD Blue |
| Mascot | Scrotie (unofficial) |
| Website | risd |
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD /ˈrɪzdiː/, pronounced "Riz-D") is a private art school in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The school was founded as a coeducational institution in 1877 by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, who sought to increase the accessibility of design education to women.
Today, RISD offers bachelor's and master's degree programs across 19 majors and enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students. The Rhode Island School of Design Museum is one of the largest college art museums in the United States.
The Rhode Island School of Design is affiliated with Brown University, whose campus sits immediately adjacent to RISD's on Providence's College Hill. The two institutions share social and community resources and since 1900 have permitted cross-registration. Together, RISD and Brown offer dual degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. As of 2024, RISD alumni have received 11 MacArthur Fellowships, nine Emmy Awards, seven Guggenheim Fellowships, and three Academy Awards.