November 2023 Newsletter
2023 Alumni Association Awards
Alumni Association Awards celebrate the accomplishments of RISD alumni visionaries, leaders, community builders and educators. Nominated by you, previous awardees come from diverse backgrounds and professions, but they all share one common bond—dedication to the infinite variety, innovation and creativity that an art & design education provides. Help us uplift and amplify the hard work of our community by making your nomination today.
The clock is ticking! The deadline for nominating an alum for a 2023 Alumni Association Award is November 30.
Terra Carta Design Lab
Applications are now open for the Terra Carta Design Lab. RISD alumni from the past five years (class of 2019 through class of 2023) and current students are eligible to submit projects to the TCDL. Two projects from RISD will be awarded £100,000 total in funding.
Make It Human
Through the Ingrao Scholarship, Tony Ingrao 81 AR aims to train the next generation of RISD creatives. Gifts from alumni like Ingrao are critical to ensuring that all students can enjoy the uninhibited creativity of an art & design education. On Giving Tuesday, invest in our students with a gift to the RISD Fund.
The Fleet Library At RISD
Whether you graduated in 1923 or 2023, the Fleet Library’s beautiful space and exciting collections remain open to you. Alumni are welcome to visit the library to browse the collections or connect with a librarian to help with research and resources.
In the Nature Lab
Everything about the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab’s student-built Biodesign Makerspace design—from the certified wood benches to the handmade paper light shades and living plant wall—is focused on sustainability.
Expanded Education
RISD ExED enables people from any industry to transform their work with the power of art & design. Our executive education programs develop people’s capacity to unleash creativity, tackle big business challenges and build a culture of collaboration.
President Crystal Williams' Messages to the Community
In two recent messages to the RISD community, President Williams shared her support for students and highlighted resources, action and programming available during this difficult time in the world. Stating that we must come together to navigate complexities, she reiterated her commitment to wanting all RISD students to feel safe, supported and a sense of belonging on campus.
Affinity Group Highlight: RISD Women in Business
RISD Women in Business connects alumni with one another and the resources they need to advance their creative business ideas. They offer professional development and networking opportunities open to everyone, like their recent virtual discussion, “Optimizing Relationships.”
Travel Program Spotlight: Greece
May 21–June 3, 2024
Join alumni and friends on a 14-day journey to discover the grandeur of ancient Greece and experience the beauty of the Aegean. Classical Greece comes to life at unmatched archaeological sites, idyllic islands and alongside Athens’ contemporary life.
Your one stop for gifts
Looking for gifts that match the unique and creative personalities of everyone on your list? From quirky to elegant to one-of-a-kind must-haves, RISDmade connects you to the online stores of nearly 400 alumni artists, designers + makers.
Art Basel & Design Miami/2023
Are you participating in any exhibitions, shows, events or festivities happening in Miami during Art Basel & Design Week? We’d love to hear your plans.
RISD Craft Spring 2024 Applications
Applications to participate in RISD Craft: Spring 2024 will be open soon! The spring sale will take place on Benefit Street on June 1 from 11 am to 5 pm. Keep an eye on the website for more details to come.
Newsletter image credits: Alumni Awards Video Behind the Scenes Thad Russell MFA 06 PH; Alumni Awards Video by Jon Gourlay 15 FAV; Violacein, purple-pigmented bacteria, by Kate Reed BRDD 21 ID; Tony Ingrao courtsey of Ingrao Inc.; The Fleet Library by Jo Sittenfeld MFA 08 PH; The Biodesign Makerspace at the Nature Lab. Photo courtesy of the Nature Lab; Expanded Education courtesy of risd.edu/edex; Greece by Cristiano Pinto via unsplash; RISDmade Hat: Anne DePasquale 93 TX Book: Olivia Waugh 20 GD, Banana pin: Richard Bradley 84 JM, Scarf: Naomi Mishkin 11 GL, Necklace: Sandra McEwen 92 IL, Lights: Brendan Ravenhill MID 09, Ceramics: Donna DeSoto 71 TX, Painting: Leonard Tantillo BArch 69; Miami Beach by Kuteich via Adobe Stock; RISD Craft by Jo Sittenfled MFA 08 PH.
