Learning Resources

Home to fascinating materials and an expert staff, our library holds more than 150,000 circulating books focused on art, design, architecture and visual culture, as well as RISD’s archives, a special collection of rare books and periodicals, and our Visual + Material Resource Center.

From the start of your studies at RISD, you’ll make use of this space for studying connections between art, design and living systems. Its collection of artifacts, high-powered microscopes and other investigative tools will add unique depth and perspective to your work. 

Accessible by all RISD students, this interdisciplinary fabrication lab offers you the ability to integrate emerging technologies into your creative process, as well as opportunities to experiment and collaborate outside your major discipline.

Working with peer tutors and the center’s professional staff, you’ll gain confidence and skills in written, spoken and visual communication, whether working on an academic paper, artist statement, presentation or any other project where art and language merge.

DSS partners with students, faculty and staff to ensure that all aspects of the RISD community are accessible, equitable and inclusive of individuals with disabilities, working to develop appropriate accommodations that support engagement across the student experience.

Located at the entrance to the RISD Museum, this vibrant gallery hosts a variety of student-proposed and curated group shows throughout the year. Guidance from RISD professionals further supports you in bringing your ideas to fruition and provides valuable experience in exhibiting your work.

Our downtown venue for showing graduate student work hosts a series of ever-changing shows throughout the academic year. The learning experience afforded by preparing for and mounting exhibitions especially aids advanced degree candidates in furthering professional practices.

Activating the first floor of a 19th-century mansion, our original student gallery is RISD’s primary venue for showing undergraduate work and, in presenting opportunities for you to prepare, mount and share work for exhibition, a core part of the learning experience.

From your first year till after you graduate, you’ll have the support of our career center team and the many tools and programs they offer—from the ArtWorks opportunities board and portfolio review events, to one-on-one advising and more.

Led by our alumni community, this program facilitates mentoring relationships for alumni to give current students career advice and open pathways for professional networking.

Our hub for global discourse and cross-cultural literacy supports study abroad opportunities across a range of academic interests. Exchange programs, travel courses during Wintersession and the summer, and other programs will inspire and inform new avenues for creative exploration.

The CCP helps RISD community members advance projects and initiatives and, through its work, helps deepen an institution-wide understanding of responsible academic and civic engagement among students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The RISD Store is the on-campus retail destination for art supplies and a rotating collection of work by RISD alumni. It is owned and operated by RISD, with all proceeds from sales going to the college for use in furthering our mission.

RISD Store 3d carries a wide variety of hardware as well as supplies for building, jewelry making, ceramics and sculpture. Like the RISD Store, it is owned and operated by RISD and has a knowledgeable staff ready to help you find what you need for your projects.