Founders Day

students work at drawing tables in a black-and-off white photo

RISD, always something of a maverick, was founded and nurtured by a small group of women more than 40 years before women in America gained the right to vote.

RISD was founded on March 22, 1877

In 1877, the Rhode Island Women’s Centennial Commission, led by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, had a surplus of $1,675. They decided to use the funds to found an independent school of art and design (instead of building a public fountain—one of the other options on the table), a bold and somewhat controversial choice at the time. Despite the fact that only a few such schools existed in the US at that time and many people publicly doubted that the endeavor could be successful, Metcalf and her peers forged ahead. Nearly 150 years later, Rhode Island School of Design is still a place for innovation and experimentation.

Students trained in arts and design since 1877

114,000+

Pre-College Program alumni since 1971

10,500+

Visitors to RISD Museum 2022-2023

~120,000

2024 events

In honor of its entrepreneurial founders and rich legacy, RISD celebrates Founders Day in March with a series of events and service activities that reflect and carry forward the institution’s mission.

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Throughout March, stop by one of our informational tables to learn more about our founders and those early days of RISD and participate in a student art collective in honor of our founders.

Information tables are scheduled to be on campus the following days:

Wednesday March 6, 11:30 am-1:30 pm at The Met
Tuesday March 12, 1-3 pm at The Met
Monday March 18, 12-2 pm at Prov Wash
Tuesday March 19, 1-3 pm at Prov Wash
Wednesday March 20, 12-2 pm at Prov Wash
Thursday March 21, 1-3 pm at Prov Wash
Friday March 22, 12-2 pm at Prov Wash

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11:30 am–2:30 pm
Stop by the Met and grab a cupcake to celebrate RISD’s founding.

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In honor of Founders Day, the RISD Store is offering a discount of 18.77%.

The 18.77% applies to purchases of RISD Merchandise and the Alumni Collection only. The discount is available all day in-store and online on March 22.

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10 am–5 pm
The museum is offering free admission to all guests.

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10 am–5 pm
The museum is offering free admission to all guests.

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Institutional Advancement is sponsoring E-ship and IDSA day-long events designed to enhance connections between students and alumni while promoting a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

Register today

9:30–10:30 am
Founders Panel
"Evolving Community Ventures: Scaling and Diversifying Impact"
ProvWash Auditorium, 20 Washington Place

Ashleigh Axios 08 GD and Max Frieder 12 PT will discuss the expansion and sustainability of community-driven initiatives and business and explore the intricacies of scaling up, maintaining community values during growth, and ensuring long-term impact. This panel will be moderated by IDSA co-president Sage Lou 24 ID and opened by Provost Touba Ghadessi.

11 am–12 pm
Founders Panel
"Engagement as Key: Sustainable Impact Through Creative Practices"
ProvWash Auditorium, 20 Washington Place

Ryan Cunningham 02 FAV and David Lee 00 GD will discuss the early stages of transforming creative ideas into viable business ventures, fostering creativity in a commercial context, and the role of community and cultural engagement. This panel will be moderated by XRHub co-president Hermione Hsieh 25 ID and opened by Vice Provost Sarah Cunningham.

12–5pm
Student Initiative Showcase
Gathering Space, 20 Washington Place (no RSVP required)

Explore student-led XR projects and initiatives at the XRHub student initiative showcase. This student-led group aims to create a collaborative learning platform for RISD students in the fast-evolving realm of immersive technologies.

5:30–8:30 pm
Makeathon Competition and Awards Ceremony
ProvWash Auditorium, 20 Washington Place

Hear student presentations from a one-day make-a-thon, focused on community design. Enjoy a live critique from expert judges and join in celebrating the challenge winners at the evening's close.

Register today

The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is a nationwide association for industrial designers. RISD IDSA is one of its college chapters. At RISD, the IDSA chapter creates a community for passionate designers to explore how our learning at RISD can impact the design world.

RISD E'Ship is a student-led organization focused on creative entrepreneurship. We are a network of student leaders, faculty mentors, and alumni who are building an ecosystem that supports and guides students embarking on entrepreneurial ventures in their respective fields while engaging creative entrepreneurship at the forefront of the industry

Alumni Days of Service events

In honor of Founders Day, many of our regional clubs participate in activities supporting their communities. Take a look at what events are happening this year, and get involved where you can!

RISD Alumni Days of Service Events