Rhode Island School of Design

At Commencement 2026, visual artist Julie Mehretu MFA 97 PR/PT delivered the keynote address and received an honorary degree along with cartoonist Roz Chast 77 PT, arts advocate Stephen A. Metcalf, and designer David Wiseman 03 FD.

Mehretu offered a compelling speech urging graduates to remake the world they have inherited. Watch her remarks below.

Read more about Commencement 2026: https://bit.ly/4eshX5N

https://bit.ly/4emeLJQ

Julie Mehretu | Commencement Address | RISD Commencement 2026 May 30, 2026Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RIhttps:/...

During final spring critiques RISD’s campus was buzzing as students in every department shared their work and gathered insightful feedback from faculty members, visiting critics, and peers.

Final Spring 2026 Critiques at RISD Highlight Accomplished Student Work RISD faculty members and visiting critics offered insightful feedback to students in every department, from Architecture to Textiles.

Commencement is here! Join us in celebrating RISD’s Class of 2026.
Watch live starting at 9 am at risd.edu/commencement.

Julie Mehretu MFA 97 PR/PT will deliver the keynote address. She, cartoonist Roz Chast 77 PT, arts advocate Stephen A. Metcalf, and designer David Wiseman 03 FD will receive honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees.

This year’s Commencement materials were designed by Kay Kim 26 GD, Coco Li 26 GD, and Rachel Shin 26 GD, members of RISD’s student-run Design Guild.

Commencement and Reunion Weekend is here!

Alums return to Providence to reconnect and enjoy activities planned for all age groups while welcoming its newest members, the Class of 2026.

Join us for public events throughout the weekend!

Through May 30
RISD Grad Show 2026 is on view at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Halls C&D. The show is free and open to the public daily from 12–5 pm (10–5 pm on May 30, the day of RISD Commencement)

Saturday, May 30
RISD Craft 11-5 on Benefit (CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER)

Saturday, May 30
WaterFire lighting at 8:15 pm

https://alumni.risd.edu/reunions

At "RISD Grad Show 2026," viewers experience an immersive, multidisciplinary graduate thesis exhibition. The show highlights the creativity of students at all stages of the thesis process, from sketches and drafts to completed works. Showcasing the work of more than 200 artists and designers and utilizing 43,000-sf of space, "RISD Grad Show 2026" is one of the largest contemporary art and design exhibitions in New England, according to Director of Campus Exhibitions Mark Moscone 88 PR.

On view through May 30
RI Convention Center, Halls C&D
One Sabin Street, Providence
Free and open to the public daily from 12–5 pm (10–5 pm on May 30)

RISD GRAD SHOW 2026 Considers Memory, Love, and the Fate of Our Planet The annual Rhode Island Convention Center exhibition presents thesis work by graduate students earning advanced degrees in 19 different programs.

So much to do in PVD! Great piece in The New York Times just in time for Commencement visitors. Be sure to check out the RISD Museum and all the other local gems highlighted while in town.

36 Hours in Providence, R.I. One of the oldest cities in America makes for a laid-back weekend break.

The Providence Journal gives a look at Grad Show 2026.

Come experience an expansive range of exploratory work across 19 disciplines by students completing master’s degrees.
On view through May 30
RI Convention Center, Halls C&D
One Sabin Street, Providence
Free and open to the public daily from 12–5 pm (10–5 pm on May 30)

The 2026 RISD Grad Show at the RI convention center is open from noon to 5 p.m. until May 30, showcasing incredible works of art. See link below ⬇️

📸 Wheeler Cowperthwaite/The Providence Journal

President Crystal Williams recently spoke with "The Korea Times" underscoring the enduring role of art and design in defining human identity in the age of artificial intelligence

“Art-making, creativity and design are fundamental to defining our humanity, shaping how we connect ideas, emotions, histories and cultures,” Williams said.

RISD president underscores human core of creativity in AI era - The Korea Times Crystal Williams, president of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), underscored the enduring role of art and design in defining human identity in...

Step into "Grad Show 2026" with Ocean State Media and hear from some of the artists who have work on view.

"Every type of art you can imagine is on display and there’s a surprise around every corner of the Rhode Island Convention Center."

On view through May 30
RI Convention Center, Halls C&D
One Sabin Street, Providence
Free and open to the public daily from 12–5 pm (10–5 pm on May 30)

RISD Grad Show has a surprise around every corner | Weekend 401 The exhibition features the work of more than 200 artists and designers in 42,000 square feet of exhibition space

Menswear designer Robert Geller, who earned his BFA from RISD in 2001, got his first job in the industry at Marc Jacobs in New York City when he was still a student at RISD. There he began a career that would include launching his own brands and collaborating with partners from around the world. Today, he lives in Portugal and heads up menswear design at Rag & Bone in New York.

Below read Robert's RISD.edu interview in which he discusses his career and the lessons from RISD assignments that have stuck with him.

Life After RISD: Checking in with Alum Robert Geller The international menswear designer uses color and a mix of European, American, and Japanese influences to create wearable clothes that boost customers’ confidence.