Youth In-Person Courses
(Ages 10–12)

RISD campus

Creative exploration awaits budding visual artists ages 10–12! Students will experiment with a variety of materials and mediums while expanding their imaginations on our Providence campus. Young artists will grow their confidence in artmaking, while developing social and critical thinking skills in our collaborative studio environment.

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April 2027 course schedule

Registration opens: November 17, 2026

Scholarship application deadline: February 9, 2027

Registration deadline: April 15, 2027, 11:59pm ET

Classes begin: April 19, 2027

Classes end: April 23, 2027

Teenage boy holding a taxidermy reptile specimen for drawing.

Spring '27 registration opens November 17 for April 2027 school vacation week.

Before registering, review course information for ages 10–12.

Summer camps are also offered for ages 6–12.

Browse Summer Camps.

Half-day courses for students ages 10–12 will be offered July 12–30, 2027.

Location

In-person courses for ages 10–12 are held on RISD’s main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. There is no residential or overnight option for these courses.

If you or your student require an accessibility accommodation, contact RISD Disability Support Services at disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu as early as possible before the start of the course.

Classroom experience

Our instructors, facilitators, and teaching assistants are dedicated educators and artists. They lead our students through engaging and inspiring activities designed to grow their confidence in artmaking. Participants will develop art and design vocabulary by talking about their work and the work of others. All students receive personalized feedback during informal presentations of their finished pieces.

Students should bring a snack (peanut- and tree nut-free) if they would like one and a water bottle each day. Students should bring lunch if they are taking both a morning and an afternoon or full day course. Instructors may bring the class outside of their designated classroom, so students should wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and shoes. All art supplies will be provided.

NOTE: Some courses that include figure drawing may refer to paintings, sculptures, or anatomical references that depict the unclothed human form.

Important course information for ages 10–12

Refer to our Policies page for a complete list of RISD CE’s policies, including our drop/withdrawal and refund policy.

We will send you a link to this form before your child’s course start date. This form must be filled out before your child can be dropped off on the first day of class. Include the information of any adults that you authorize to pick your child up from their course. Due to institutional policy and safety considerations, RISD staff cannot release children to unauthorized adults. This form also provides space to let us know if your child has any allergies or emergency medication. If you need to add a name to this list after submitting the form, contact the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200.

It is critical that we have accurate and up-to-date emergency contact information while your child is enrolled in a course. We collect emergency contact information during the online registration process. If anything changes (such as the original contacts being unavailable during the course period), notify our staff by contacting the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200.

We are excited for you to safely enjoy your learning experience. Review the following information and contact the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200 if you have any questions.

RISD Public Safety will respond to on-campus injuries and emergencies, and contact further emergency services as needed. We do not administer, hold or store any form of medicine, including prescriptions.

There are certain emergency incidents that may require an unusual or special departure procedure:

  • Shelter in Place: used when it is safer to remain indoors due to hazards outside of the building
  • Lockdown: used when there is an immediate threat inside or very near a building
  • Evacuation: used when remaining in the building is unsafe

In the event of any of these procedures, parents/guardians will be notified and regularly updated via email (to the email address on file on the student account). Special departure procedures may be handled by RISD Public Safety or additional authorities as needed in escalated situations.

Students and parents/guardians may opt in to RISD’s emergency text notification system by texting “RISDALERT” to 226787. Visit risd.edu/emergency for more information about RISDAlerts and emergency policies and procedures, as well as real-time updates in the event of a campus emergency.

Our staff will make all reasonable effort to help our students adjust to their course and have an enjoyable experience. To ensure a positive experience for all students, RISD may dismiss a student if their behavior interferes with the safety or learning experience of the others. If a student is unable to meet our behavior expectations, our staff may send the student home for the day or withdraw them from the course entirely. The ability for that student to attend future programs will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Unallowable behaviors

  • Hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking, or other unwanted physical contact.
  • Throwing items such as sticks, stones, chairs, or art supplies.
  • Swearing and inappropriate language.
  • Bullying.
  • Other negative comments or actions that make others feel unwelcome or unsafe.
  • Intentional mistreatment of supplies, equipment, or facilities.

RISD’s definition of bullying
For purposes of this policy, bullying shall mean the repeated use by one or more persons of written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a target perceived as vulnerable that:

  1. Causes physical or emotional harm.
  2. Places the target in reasonable fear or harm to themself.
  3. Creates a hostile environment for the target.
  4. Infringes on the rights of the target while participating; or
  5. Materially and substantially disrupts the process or orderly operation of the Program.

Inclusion

RISD is committed to being an anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive institution. We embrace diversity and are welcoming of differences. Our goal is for all in our community to have the access, opportunity, and support they need to benefit fully from their RISD experience.

If a student requires accommodation for physical, emotional, mental, or social needs, contact CE’s main office prior to registration to determine our ability to meet those needs.

RISD is dedicated to the welfare and safety of all persons who participate in college-sponsored events. The majority of Minors taking part in RISD programs visit us through the RISD Museum, Continuing Education and Project Open Door; however, there are also opportunities for third parties to run programs and camps with Minor participants on campus and under the authority and direction of the college at other locations. All staff, faculty, volunteers, student employees, and independent contractors who may interact with Minors and/or Vulnerable Adults on campus are governed by RISD’s Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults in RISD Programs policy. This policy specifies that any instance of suspected abuse, neglect, or inadequate care provided by a parent, guardian, custodian/caretaker, employee or volunteer must be reported. The reporting obligation also extends to RISD policy violations. Any Responsible Adult who violates this policy will be held accountable, personally and professionally, without exception and regardless of their status at RISD. For more information, refer to Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults in RISD Programs

RISD Public Safety is staffed 24 hours a day and is the office to call for all emergencies. From RISD phones, dial ext. 6666. From the outdoor blue emergency phones, pick up the receiver to be connected to Public Safety. In an emergency on campus, a call to 401 454-6666 initiates a faster response than a call to 911. In an emergency off campus only, dial 911. Public Safety’s non-emergency phone number is 401 454-6376.

30 Waterman Street, Providence, RI
Emergency Services: 401 454-6666
Non-Emergency Line: 401 454-6376

RISD complies with all applicable state and federal statutes, including Title IX of the federal Higher Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid. Sexual assault and sexual harassment are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. For more information, refer to Title IX at RISD.

All students should attend all classes regularly and promptly, so as to not disrupt the learning experience. Absences and tardiness may impact your child’s ability to complete a project or to connect with their peers. If your child will miss a class meeting, please contact the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200.

Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education attempts to make its classes, programs, events and services accessible by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations. If your child needs accommodations to participate in any class, program, or event offered by RISD CE, contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu. Requests for accommodations should be made at the time of registration. Reach out as far in advance as possible to ensure accommodations are in place prior to the start of the course.

Modifications cannot be made to program or course curriculum. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

Questions

If you have any questions about whether this program is a good fit for you or your child, contact RISD CE: risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200.

young student weaving painted paper with vibrant colors
young student looking at a sculpture at the RISD museum
colored pencils wrapped in an elastic
young student working on anatomical drawing.
drawing materials including pencils, charcoal, and smudging sticks.
Young student drawing a comic illustration.