Graduate Student Events and Webinars
Offering an even closer look at RISD, our on-campus and online info sessions feature faculty, staff and current students sharing information about research support, professional development and career preparation, and other valuable insights into the RISD graduate experience.
Summer events and programs
Admitted graduate students will be invited to attend and participate in virtual summer events and information sessions. Programming provides general information about the RISD community, and an overview of available resources, department-based meetings and opportunities to connect with your incoming classmates. In-person orientation events are offered in September to welcome you to campus.
Additionally, the following departments run summer programs that incoming students may be required to attend:
- Architecture | 3-year MArch
- Interior Architecture | MDes (both programs) and MA
- Landscape Architecture | 2- and 3-year MLA
- Teaching + Learning in Art + Design | MAT
June 2024
Jun 6
General Graduate Studies Q&A (online)
6–6:45 pm
Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive.
Jun 10
Graduate Studies intro/info session (online)
8–8:45 am
From events and open studios to grants and teaching opportunities, learn more about how Graduate Studies can support you throughout your time at RISD.
Jun 12
General Graduate Studies Q&A (online)
8–8:45 am
Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive.
Jun 17
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Furniture (online)
9–9:45 am
Meet recent graduate Pablo Ejarque Gonzalez (Furniture, ‘24), who will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jun 17
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Industrial Design (online)
6:30–7:15 pm
Meet recent graduate Dani Epstein (Industrial Design, '24), who will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jun 18
Alumni insights: navigating your thesis (online)
6–7 pm
Hear from alumni about their time at RISD, and discover where their work and research in various graduate programs has taken them since graduation.
Jun 20
Graduate Studies intro/info session (online)
7–7:45 pm
From events and open studios to grants and teaching opportunities, learn more about how Graduate Studies can support you throughout your time at RISD.
Jun 24
Alumni insights: life after grad school (online)
6–7 pm
Hear from alumni about their time at RISD, and discover where their work and research in various graduate programs has taken them since graduation.
Jun 25
Alumni insights: starting at RISD (online)
9–10 am
Hear from alumni about their time at RISD, and discover where their work and research in various graduate programs has taken them since graduation.
Jun 26
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Sculpture (online)
7–7:45 pm
Recent graduate Shori Sims (Sculpture, '24) will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jun 27
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Architecture (online)
9–9:45 am
Recent graduate Iverson Yu (Architecture, 24) will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
July 2024
Jul 2
Health & Wellness (online)
9–10 am
Learn about the health and wellness resources we offer during your time at RISD.
Jul 3
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Illustration (online)
12–12:45 pm
Recent graduate Deanne Fernandes (Illustration, '24) will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jul 5
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Jul 7
Summer graduate welcome social hour (in-person)
6 pm
Get to know your graduate community over food and drinks as we welcome our summer cohorts (Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Teaching and Learning in Art & Design), along with any other new grad students who can make it.
Jul 11
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Painting (online)
9–9:45 am
Recent graduate Aiza Ahmed (Painting, 24) will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jul 12
General Graduate Studies Q&A (online)
8–8:45 am
Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive.
Jul 13
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Jul 17
Alumni insights: starting at RISD (online)
9–10 am
Hear from alumni about their time at RISD, and discover where their work and research in various graduate programs has taken them since graduation.
Jul 25
Graduate Studies thesis talk: Ceramics (online)
6:30–7:15 pm
Recent graduate Maedeh Tafvizi Zavareh (Ceramics, '24) will present their thesis project and answer questions about their work and experiences at RISD.
Jul 29
Required Title IX orientation (online)
6:30–7:30 pm
In this required orientation, our Equity & Compliance team will review Title IX and the relevant resources available to you at RISD.
Jul 30
General Graduate Studies Q&A (online)
6–6:45 pm
Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive.
August 2024
Aug 19
Potluck picnic (in-person)
6 pm
Join our graduate orientation leaders for a potluck at India Point Park. Bring your favorite dish or drink to share, and feel free to invite friends and family.
Aug 22
Bike and brew (in-person)
12 pm
Join our orientation leaders for a bike ride around Providence, ending at Narragansett Brewing. Participate in the bike ride, the brewery visit or both.
No bike? No problem! Download the Spin app to rent bikes and scooters all around Providence. Friends and family are welcome to join.
Aug 28
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Aug 30
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Aug 30
Grad social night (in-person)
6:30 pm
Join our Orientation Leaders at a local haunt, The Wild Colonial Tavern. Enjoy playing pool or darts or simply take time to socialize with you new grad community.
Aug 31
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am (morning tour)
2–3 pm (afternoon tour)
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
September 2024
Sep 1
Graduate welcome picnic at Tillinghast (in-person)
12:30–3:30 pm
Join your fellow grad students for a beach picnic at Tillinghast Farm before classes begin.
Sep 6
Graduate welcome social hour at Moore Terrace (in-person)
5:30–7:30 pm
Join current and incoming grad students for food and drinks at Moore Terrace.
Sep 7
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Sep 8
Campus tour (in-person)
10–11 am
Current grad students will guide you on a walking tour exploring our campus buildings, studios and shops. RSVP for the meeting location, which will be sent to you a couple days before the tour.
Academic resource webinars
Center for Arts & Language: Graduate Student Info Session
The Center for Arts & Language is a college-wide resource offering academic support and advocacy for effective and expressive communication at the many intersections of arts and language. Hear A&L Director Jen Liese share information about the important resources and services the center offers for grad students, including tutoring in writing, public speaking and visual communication, as well as English language support for multilingual students.
CoWorks: Introduction for Graduate Students
Meet CoWorks Director David Kim and learn about the tools, training and interdisciplinary skill-building opportunities that CoWorks provides for both remote and on-campus graduate students.
Fleet Library: Orientation for Graduate Students
Learn about the many resources the Fleet Library has to offer both remote and on-campus graduate students. The presentation reviews how to access the library's collections and find the support you need for your research.
Intro to RISD Global for Graduate Students
In this session, new and returning graduate students will learn about the many opportunities for global engagement available through RISD Global, the college’s hub for global learning and academic engagement in art and design education. The RISD Global team will share information about off-campus programs, partnerships, initiatives, research assistantships and off-campus co-teaching opportunities, and guide you in exploring all available resources to grad students both on campus and remotely.
Nature Lab: Info Session for Graduate Students
Join the Nature Lab team to learn how graduate students can access this campus resource this semester, whether you are on campus or remote. The session will cover the Nature Lab’s online and in-person services, including an extensive natural history collection, biomaterials advice, sustainability tools, 3D scanning, GIS and photography.
Office of International Student Services (OISS) Employment for International Graduate Students
Join OISS to learn about the important requirements and process for international graduate students to secure legal employment while studying at RISD.
RISD Careers: Info Session for Graduate Students
Meet the RISD Careers team and learn how graduate students can benefit from our services from the start of your time here. This webinar introduces you to the resources and events RISD’s career center offers graduate students, both on-campus and remote.
RISD Museum: Graduate Student Resource Orientation
Explore digital and gallery resources, along with graduate student opportunities, with Public and Academic Program staff members Alexandra Poterack and Deb Clemons. The presentation covers research basics, professional options and opportunities for students to share creative practices.