Commencement Information for Families
Find out below about transportation, hotels and lodging, and dining options, as well as important info for international families traveling to the US.
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 1 at 9 am eastern (doors open 8 am)
Amica Mutual Pavilion
One Lasalle Square, Providence RI
Graduate Hooding Ceremonies
Friday, May 31 at 12 pm and 2 pm eastern
RISD Auditorium
17 Canal Walk, Providence RI
Plan your Commencement visit
Our celebration of the Class of 2024 is part of Commencement + Reunion Weekend, which brings together graduates and alumni in a campus-wide community celebration. The first of our Commencement ceremonies are the Graduate Hooding Ceremonies for Masters Level graduate students, which take place on Friday, May 31 at 12 and 2 pm at RISD Auditorium. Then on Saturday, June 1, we celebrate the entire Class of 2024 at this year’s Commencement Ceremony, held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion at 9 am (doors open 8 am).
Campus will be alive with activity from May 31–June 2, so plan early if you’ll be here for your student’s commencement. RISD is located in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, just off of I‑95 and I‑195. Our official address is 20 Washington Place, Providence RI 02903.
Commencement tickets
In late February, each graduating student will be able to reserve eight free tickets for guests and may request an additional six tickets as needed. Additional ticket requests will be filled based on availability. Only graduating students are able to request tickets. Students will pick up their tickets on-campus the week before Commencement.
Graduate Hooding Ceremonies
The 12 pm Ceremony for Fine Arts and EFS is for graduates receiving a MFA in Ceramics, Digital + Media, Glass, Illustration, Jewelry + Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Textiles.
The 2 pm Ceremony for Architecture + Design and Liberal Arts is for graduates receiving a masters degree in the following departments: Architecture, Furniture, Global Arts + Cultures, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Teaching + Learning in Art + Design (TLAD), or a Brown | RISD MA in Design Engineering (MADE).
Venue information and accessibility
The Amica Mutual Pavilion is an accessible building. For Graduate Hooding, the accessible entrance for RISD Auditorium is located on Amos Street.
We ask that graduating students let us know about the special seating needs of their families and guests when reserving tickets for Commencement. You may also email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379. Please contact us well in advance for information on entry and seating arrangements.
An American Sign Language (ASL) translator will be on stage during Commencement as well as at the Graduate Hooding Ceremonies. The Commencement program will include translations of ceremony details and the president’s welcome message in more than 20 languages.
Wheelchair assistance
Guests requiring wheelchair assistance must reserve a wheelchair or scooter rental in advance of Commencement through a local vendor, who will deliver and pick up right from the campus. RISD does not provide wheelchairs.
Among other local vendors, Mobility Equipment Recyclers of New England offers delivery services and ships all orders within 48 hours. They sell, rent and customize:
- power wheelchairs
- manual wheelchairs
- mobility scooters
- knee scooters
- rollators
- walkers
Shipping rates are based on weight of products and location. If you place your order less than one week in advance you may be assessed a rush charge. Mobility Equipment Recyclers is open Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm. You may contact them at 401 294-4111 for more information or if you have any questions.
Please contact individual vendors to confirm prices and availability. This information may change at any time without notice. We provide this information as a service; RISD is not responsible for vendor performance.
International families and friends
Families and friends traveling from outside the US who require a visa will need an official letter of invitation from RISD. To begin the invitation process as soon as possible, graduating students should contact the International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) to begin the invitation process as soon as possible.
Hotels and lodging
HOTELS
We have arranged for discounted group rates at local hotels for alumni and families attending Commencement + Reunion Weekend. We expect these blocks to fill fast. Learn more information about these hotels at alumni.risd.edu.
You may also find more hotel options in and around Providence on hotels.com, tripadvisor.com and other travel and hospitality sites.
HOME SHARING AND RENTALS
Guests can rent short-term accommodations in Providence through Airbnb, the global hospitality marketplace founded by RISD alumni Brian Chesky 04 ID and Joe Gebbia 05 GD/ID, among other home-sharing options.
Transportation
AIRPORTS
T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
Warwick, RI (12 miles from Providence)
Our campus in Providence is about a 15-20 minute ride from Green Airport. You can find flight information at pvdairport.com or by calling 401 737-8222. Many local hotels offer shuttle service to and from the airport.
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Boston, MA (55 miles from Providence)
Depending on traffic, Logan Airport is about a 1.5-hour drive to our campus. You can find flight information at massport.com/logan-airport and 800 23-LOGAN (800 235-6426).
TRAINS
Both Amtrak and the Massachusetts MBTA offer service to Providence.
Schedules and fares can be found at amtrak.com or 800 USA-RAIL (800 872-7245).
The MBTA’s Attleboro/Stoughton Line provides service between Providence and Boston. Schedules and fares can be found at mbta.com and 617 222-3200.
BUSES
Peter Pan Bus Company provides daily express service to and from Green Airport in Warwick and Logan Airport in Boston. They also offer services to and from major metro areas such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Schedules are available online or by calling 401 751-8800.
Greyhound provides bus service to and from Providence to major metropolitan areas like Boston, New York and Washington, DC. Schedules and fares are available online or by calling 800 229-9424, 402 330-8552 (if you’re calling from abroad without toll-free access), 800 752-4841 (for assistance for passengers with disabilities) or 800 345-3109 (TDD).
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is Rhode Island's local bus service for easy and inexpensive transportation within Rhode Island, including Providence/Newport ferries.
RENTAL CARS
If you are traveling by plane and need to reserve a rental car, you can find a list of rental services on the Green Airport and Logan Airport websites.
RIDESHARING AND CAR-SHARING
On-demand transportation is available through Uber and Lyft, and at dozens of zipcar locations on or near campus.
RISD SHUTTLE SERVICE
Guests with mobility needs requiring transportation from campus to commencement events should call RISD Rides at 401 427-6915.
Dining
Providence has a vibrant food culture offering a variety of cuisines and dining experiences. You will find many options within a short walk of our College Hill campus and in the downtown area surrounding the Commencement venue.
Tables fill up fast throughout the city during Commencement week, so be sure to plan ahead as soon as possible.
Special events
Saturday, June 1, 2024
11 am–5 pm
Featuring over 100 RISD artists, makers and designers, RISD Craft is a highlight of Commencement + Reunion Weekend. RISD Craft is held each year on historic Benefit Street located in the center of campus.
Post-commencement reception
Saturday, June 1, 2024
12–1:30 pm
Immediately following the Commencement Ceremony at the Amica Mutual Pavillion, our entire community is invited to celebrate the Class of 2024 at a festive reception back on campus.
Academic receptions
On the day before Commencement (unless otherwise noted), various divisions and departments host celebratory gatherings and awards presentations open to graduating students, family members and friends.
All events are on campus unless specified. For location details, please see our campus map online or download and print this campus map PDF.
Friday, May 24
Apparel Design
in conjunction with Collection 24 senior thesis show
time tbd
Waterfire Arts Center (off campus)
475 Valley Street
Providence, RI 02908
(view map)
Thursday, May 30
Industrial Design awards ceremony
2–4 pm
RISD Auditorium
Industrial Design reception
4–5:30 pm
Moore Terrace
Friday, May 31 — morning start
Architecture
10–11:30 am
Bayard Ewing Building (BEB) 106 and BEB Gallery
awards ceremony and reception
Graphic Design
10–11:30 am
Graphic Design Commons
Design Center
Interior Architecture
10–11:30 am
Center for Integrative Technologies 6th floor studio space
department celebration with awards
Furniture Design
10:30 am–1 pm
Fleet Library main lobby
Landscape Architecture
10:30–noon
Weybosset Street Studios lobby
Film / Animation / Video
11 am–7 pm
Metcalf Auditorium
senior film screenings
Friday, May 31 — afternoon start
History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
noon–1:30 pm
Washington Place room 102
concentration reception
Literary Arts and Studies
noon–1:30 pm
College Building room 521
concentration reception
Theory and History of Art and Design
noon–1:30 pm
Woods–Gerry House room 207
concentration reception
Fine Arts division
3–5 pm
Woods-Gerry Gallery (Woods–Gerry House)
Architecture and Design division
3:30–5:30 pm
Metcalf Refectory B, Nickerson Green, North Hall Plaza, and Quad Lower and Upper Terraces
Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies
4–6 pm
Washington Place room 143
Illustration
5–6:30 pm
ISB Gallery
Illustration Studies Building
More in Commencement
Fun and relatively informal, our colorful ceremony is a spirited, celebratory salute to our newest art and design standouts.
Stay informed about Commencement with all the dates, deadlines and important links you need as we get closer to June.
Have questions about Commencement but don’t know where to start? See our FAQ for answers to the questions we hear the most.
Contact us
Have questions about Commencement + Reunion Weekend 2024? Please email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379.