Graduate Study at RISD 2017/18

Graduate Study at Rhode Island School of Design

Process is fundam as both a m philosophical proceeding neither a predic direction. Someti we may have t Process is but a stac of Pradeep Sharma • Provost

mental at RISD — method and a approach.

But has ctable speed nor times to proceed to go backward. not smooth, accato pattern leaps.

The graduate experience at RISD doesn’t begin or end in the studio, yet it clearly centers around deep disciplinary immersion in creative exploration. It’s about constantly asking questions and building a rewarding hands-on relationship with materials.

And it’s about learning to better articulate strong concepts through close attention to process and the infinite details of creative practice. Graduate students come to RISD from throughout the world, bringing a variety of perspectives and experiences to their work.

Studio exploration and evolution are furthered through critique—that wonderful “live performance” of critical discussion meant to move work forward and inspire each student to make new breakthroughs.

Working individually—and at times collaboratively—students draw energy and inspiration from one another while also gaining invaluable insights from the professional artists, designers and scholars who teach here.

I love dialogue and th at It’s brutally and the so personal Kim Wimprine • MFA in Ceramics

the he discourse RISD. necessary intensity spurs much

growth.

Graduate students at RISD are very much engaged with the world and with one another— collaborating together in the studio and beyond, talking about shared interests, projects, research, curatorial efforts and more. As they work to advance research in their respective fields, they also deeply value interdisciplinary seminars, studios and public programs that foster provocative discourse about contemporary theory and practice.

The professional artists, designers and educators who teach at RISD share an extraordinary range of knowledge of their fields along with a true commitment to working with students in individualized ways. Each year hundreds of exceptional visiting artists, designers and other intellectuals also bring a world of ideas and new perspectives to campus.

Beyond the studio, graduate students curate shows, work as teaching and research assistants, spearhead public art projects and engage in a wide range of opportunities unique to RISD and Providence. Given a heightened interest in the type of thinking and problem solving that goes on in studios, they’re often invited to work on collaborative projects with nonprofits, businesses and other organizations.

A strong synergy between RISD and neighboring Brown University affords graduate students opportunities to take classes at Brown and use the university’s extensive libraries and facilities. This collaborative relationship opens up endless possibilities for stimulating cultural and intellectual programming beyond everything RISD already offers.

Beyond College Hill, graduate students also keep close tabs on what’s going on in the art, music, dance, theater and making spheres in Providence.

They often take day trips to Boston and New York, adding to their understanding of what it means to become a contemporary (and often multidisciplinary) creative practitioner.

The specialized facilities and caliber of equipment at RISD provide everything students need to hone work in various disciplines. Small departmental galleries throughout campus, along with spontaneous installations that spring up whenever and wherever possible, offer interesting visual surprises as students walk to studios and classes. Gatherings organized by the Graduate Student Alliance and a steady stream of openings and shows at both Sol Koffler Graduate Student Gallery and Gelman Gallery allow for welcomed opportunities for the larger graduate student community to come together.

At the RISD Museum, students have access to more than 100,000 works from around the world—from ancient sculpture to Impressionist paintings and contemporary art in every medium. The Nature Lab’s highend microscopes, aquariums and collections of flora and fauna offer other valuable resources. The Center for Arts and Language fosters interest in and support of written communication, assisting graduate students with the thesis process. And the Material Resource Center is just one of many special collections housed at the Fleet Library at RISD, one of the most extensive and beautiful art and design libraries in the world.

Many graduate students discover that taking the time to question and probe, to push and pull and wrestle with what motivates them can lead in unexpected directions. As one recent MFA graduate notes, “The thing I came here to change is the way I approach my work. I came here to change my process in a conscious way—I just didn’t know what it was called yet.”

Graduate students form a closeknit community at RISD based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to moving work forward. They value exchanging ideas with people from diverse cultures and with extraordinary back-stories, often involving experiences outside of art and design. And they value deep, meaningful conversations—both visual and verbal.

This place is ful chutzpah and experimentation RISD artists out meaningful thing incredible mater knowledge is technical and with cultura Natalie Jeremijenko • visiting artist

ll of the wildest most valuable I’ve ever seen. s are figuring wondrous and gs to do with rials, and their both deeply deeply engaged al questions.

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