The RISD Museum was founded on the belief that art, artists, and the institutions that support them play pivotal roles in promoting broad civic engagement and creating more open societies. Working collaboratively and responsively, we aspire to reflect and support multiple perspectives, cross-cultural dialogues, and opportunities for free expression. We interpret our collection with the focus on the maker and we deeply engage with art and artists, presenting ideas and perspectives that can be inspiring and complex.
The staff of the RISD Museum stewards works of art representing diverse cultures, from ancient times to the present. Our work includes archival, scientific, and humanities-based research.