Graduate Thesis Exhibition

A massive public exhibition of work by students about to earn their RISD master's degrees, the annual graduate thesis exhibition is the culmination of each student's unique experience at RISD.
The show transforms a large space into a network of smaller galleries, affording students an opportunity to showcase multiple pieces from their final body of thesis work.
View this year’s show online

Featuring work by this year’s graduating class, RISD Grad Show 2024 highlights the creativity that students exhibit at all stages of the thesis process, from sketches and drafts to completed works.
Read about the show

The sprawling exhibition invites viewers to experience a wide range of exploratory projects representing 19 advanced degree programs.
Join us for Commencement
The graduate thesis exhibition ends its run on the weekend of Commencement, our fun, colorful celebration of the newest art and design standouts to complete their RISD journey. In addition to the commencement ceremony, you’ll find other exhibitions on campus, academic department gatherings and more.
Past thesis exhibitions
Grad Show 2023 offers visitors a peek inside the studios of artists and designers working in 19 different areas of study.
The sprawling exhibition and companion digital publication feature thesis work by graduate students working across 19 disciplines.
Intensely personal work by more than 200 RISD graduate students is now on view virtually and in limited-access Providence galleries.
Get to know RISD
Research, experiment and push the possibilities of practice with RISD’s community of advanced degree students.
Challenge your ideas and broaden your point of view alongside our community of makers.
See work from past shows and learn about our exhibition space for graduate student work.