RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN - Best Art Colleges

Founded in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the oldest and best-known colleges of art and design in the U.S. Each year approximately 2,300 students from around the world pursue a creative, studio-based education at RISD, which offers rigorous bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in 19 architecture, design, fine arts and art education majors. The college is located in Providence, Rhode Island, which offers its own vibrant art scene and is conveniently located between two other major cultural centers: Boston and New York.

What makes your school’s art & design programs different & unique from other art & design school programs?

A RISD education is grounded in deep, disciplinary learning that cultivates critical thinking + making, creativity and innovation. At RISD you can design and make art, teach and learn, work with your hands and with complex software. Students develop a way of thinking that will prepare them for whatever they choose to do, whether it’s working as a professional artist or designer on their own or within an organization. Through a curriculum that combines a liberal arts and studio education, students learn to research and solve problems in a larger social and cultural context.

What is the advantage of the Dual Degree Program with Brown?

The Brown/RISD Dual Degree Program offers a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary education in which students earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from RISD by pursuing majors at each campus. The purpose of this rigorous course of study is to offer highly capable, talented and self-motivated students enhanced opportunities for integrating diverse spheres of academic work. In the process they gain access to a broader range of faculty and resources than would be available if they pursued a degree at either one or the other campus.

What steps do you take to evaluate a student’s candidacy, apart from reviewing their creative portfolio?

A key part of the criteria is for applicants to submit a visual art or design portfolio, two drawings, and writing samples. This is in addition to providing transcripts and test scores such as SAT or ACT, Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] or International English Language Testing System [IELTS].

What does your program look for most in the creative portfolio during admissions? What do you think makes an A+ portfolio? 


Rhode Island School of Design encourages applicants to take risks and consider the full range of possible expression in submissions, as we do not value any particular style/method of drawing or art making more than another.

How are new technologies affecting students’ curriculums and/or ways of learning/collaborating at your school? 


RISD’s immersive model of art and design education is discipline-based and grounded in studio practice. Students embrace a culture of research and discovery that is encouraged through the use of traditional and emerging technologies. In addition to the deep immersion of studio majors, RISD offers interdisciplinary courses that integrate various approaches allowing students to construct individualized paths of learning and studies.

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

The RISD Career Center offers a multitude of tools and resources, both off- and online, to help students maximize their potential for innovation and explore possibilities for exposure. Programming such as RISD Entrepreneurship Mindshare and Art + Business Boot Camps help students and alumni translate their education and creativity into fulfilling professional experiences. Design Portfolio Review and Fine Arts Portfolio review help students connect with more than 175 companies, galleries and organizations.

In addition to traditional art and design fields, many alumni are applying their knowledge and skills to areas including education, healthcare, government, technology and nonprofits.

Are there any exciting developments for your programs that students should know about?

In addition to the deep immersion offered through major disciplines, RISD offers interdisciplinary courses that integrate various approaches. Funding from the National Science Foundation to a consortium of colleges, including RISD, has brought increasingly more focus on the exciting intersection of art, science, design technology and math. A uniquely design-oriented science curriculum enables students to explore topics ranging from insect morphology to cognitive neuroscience.

What is the most distinguished feature at your school?

From its incorporation in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design has stood out as a leader in art and design education, attracting extraordinary people who thrive in its creative culture. Founded simultaneously with the RISD Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the first colleges of its kind in the country.

Interviewed by Jaime Marland Director of Public Relations