Learn about ways to more closely participate, engage, and collaborate with the RISD Museum.
- For artists
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RISD Museum Research Residency for Artists
(previously known as the Artist Fellowship)Local artists and designers are invited to apply for the 2023 RISD Museum Research Residency for Artists. One selected artist will receive a stipend of $10,000, professional development support, and the opportunity to work closely with the Museum’s collections and staff members. Please note: housing and/or studio space is not provided.
Proposals
Share your vision for activating our collections and exploring artistic materials and processes.
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For Teens
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The RISD Museum offers different ways for high school students to access the collection and its staff.
RISD Art Circle
The RISD Art Circle is a group of high school artists and art enthusiasts who explore the Museum collection and activate the galleries through events, interpretative projects, community collaborations, and hands-on learning activities, inspiring all of us to see the world in a creative way.The group meets most Saturdays from late September to early June from 11 am-2 pm.Applications now closed.Informational Interviews
High School students can request a 45-minute experience to connect with staff and learn about career paths and current work. There are a limited number of these each semester; and not all departments can accommodate based on museum policies and guidelines.
Please complete this form to request an Informational Interview.
Research Projects and Assignments
High School students can request museum education staff support on research related to objects and artworks in the museum collection, as well as careers in museums. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and depend on availability.
Please complete this form to request Research Assistance.
Internship/Apprenticeship Opportunities
The RISD Museum works with local high school and community organizations to provide behind-the-scenes opportunities related to work based learning. Museum staff work directly with school and organizational staff to provide these opportunities.
If you are a student interested in this, please reach out to your school administration or connect with a local organization. Currently the RISD Museum is working with PCTA (Providence Career and Technical Academy) and Hope High School. In the past we have worked with Prepare RI, the Met High School, the Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in Providence Public Schools.
Guided Visits and Self-guided Visits
There are opportunities to explore the museum and its collection as part of classroom visits, after school programs, both onsite and offsite.
- For College Students
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Dorner Prize
Annually RISD undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit proposals for temporary, site-specific projects at the RISD Museum. These artistic interventions may take the form of physical, digital, or programmatic encounters, that examine or critique the Museum’s historical and contemporary contexts, collections, architectural idiosyncrasies, habits of visitation, and/or web presence.
Up to two winners, selected by a jury, receive cash prizes and implementation funds. Proposals are due in early February and winning projects are on view during the spring semester.Museum Guild
The Museum Guild is a group of undergraduate students from local colleges and universities. Supported by the museum’s Academic Programs staff, they develop self-directed projects and programs that facilitate the engagement of college communities within and beyond the greater Providence area. They aim to share entry points for new audiences, be responsive to their interests, and stimulate thought-provoking and personal interactions. Through this work, the Guild hopes to expand critical dialogue around the collection, purpose, and future of the RISD Museum.
RISD THAD Museum Fellowships
In collaboration with RISD’s Theory and History of Art and Design department, the Museum offers selected art history concentrators an opportunity to earn THAD credit working for a semester in a curatorial department or with the Museum’s conservator, depending on departmental needs. This program, administered by THAD, allows students to learn firsthand about the behind-the-scenes activities in the Museum.
RISD Graduate Research Assistantships in the RISD Museum
The Museum participates in RISD’s Graduate Studies Research Assistantship program, allowing selected graduate students to work in the Museum for the academic year. Openings vary and usually range from curatorial to museum education, installation, digital content, and graphic design, providing students insight into potential career paths in museums. Graduate Studies administers the program.
Summer Internships
The RISD Museum’s internship programs offer undergraduate and graduate students an introduction to the museum field. Working within one of the Museum’s departments, interns gain in-depth experience in a specialized area of museum work, and participate in group seminars discuss museum practice, build professional skills for working in the arts, and learn about how museums live up to their missions.
Learn about part-time summer internships
Learn about full-time summer internships
Learn about part-time winter/spring 2022-23 internships
Work/Study
Various departments in the Museum have work/study opportunities for RISD students. Current open positions are listed on RISD’s website.
Spalter Teaching Fellowships
Spalter Teaching Fellows are trained as RISD Museum educators and are responsible for teaching and working with children and youth ages 5 to 18. They undergo rigorous training with the Museum’s educators, who introduce them to the Museum’s collection and pedagogy. Fellows support learning from original works of art and the development critical thinking, problem solving, and creative interpretation. The Spalter Teaching Fellowship is open to RISD and Brown graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds.
Joan Hall and Mark Weil Conservation Fund Fellowship
The Joan Hall and Mark Weil Conservation Fund Fellowship is a two-year, part-time position working with the museum’s Objects Conservator. The Hall/Weil Fellow will receive professional conservation training to introduce them to the collections care and preventive conservation activities relating to the museum’s permanent collection and will assist the conservator, supporting both the short-term and long-term care of original works of art, including condition reporting, written and digital photo-documentation, dusting and basic cleaning of art, stabilizing of art, preparing art for loan and travel, as well as monitoring works on display and in storage. The Joan Hall and Mark Weil Conservation Fund Fellowship is open to undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds.
- For Teachers
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Faculty Research Fellowships
Together with RISD Academic Affairs, the Museum offers interested RISD faculty a limited number of two-year fellowships as residents in a curatorial department. The fellowships provide faculty members across disciplines the opportunity for in-depth research in the collection to enhance their work and teaching practices. They also provide an avenue for engaging in the day-to-day life of the Museum, including working with fellow faculty to select objects for classes and with students, faculty, and the general public to facilitate object-based learning.
- FOR EVERYONE
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Proposals
Share your vision for activating our collections and exploring artistic materials and processes.
Employment
RISD and the RISD Museum offer a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.
Volunteering
The RISD Museum relies on long-standing ties to two important community organizations that exist to support the museum's mission:
The RISD Museum Docents provide rewarding learning experiences for museum visitors of all ages through guided gallery visits. We are not currently recruiting. Email museum@risd.edu to inquire about the next docent recruitment period.
Founded in 1956, the RISD Museum Associates are a dynamic group of volunteers who give their time and talents to support a range of museum initiatives through an annual spring fundraiser. Email risdassociates1956@gmail.com to inquire about getting involved.