Custom Programs for Youth
Co-designed for the next
generation of creatives
Custom Programs for youth are designed by RISD Continuing Education to spark creativity and build confidence in young artists and designers. Each experience is tailored to the needs of schools, community organizations, and youth-serving partners, and can be offered in person or virtually.
Ways to collaborate
Custom sections & cohorts
Offer a private section of a RISD Continuing Education course designed to fit your students’ schedule, goals, and learning needs.
Workshops and events
Short, high-energy experiences that introduce students to art and design thinking. Ideal for after-school enrichment and community events.
Signature programs
Deeply customized, multi-week programs that celebrate RISD’s studio culture. Students explore creative practices and develop their artistic voice.
How we design Custom Programs for youth
It starts with you and your students
We start by learning about your goals: who your students are, what inspires them, and how you’d like to make an impact. Together, we shape the creative direction and determine whether we can design a program we’ll both be proud to offer.
Every Custom Program is built collaboratively, with your feedback guiding each stage of the process.
Let’s connect
Tell us about your vision by completing an investigative interest form. Your submission will contain:
- Your name/organization
- Type of learners
- Interests and goals
- Budget and ideal dates
We’ll be in touch soon
We’re excited to review your initial submission. Throughout this process you, you can expect:
- Thoughtful assessment and considerations
- Mutually beneficial program proposals
- Collaborative program development
- Clear development timelines
Current and past collaborations
Summer Teen Art Institute
In partnership with the HD Shanghai School and Elite K12, this residential program immerses high school students in China with foundation drawing and design courses plus selected majors. Students engage with like-minded individuals while participating in an unforgettable experience.
Rhode Island Department of Education
We partnered with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to provide both summer enrichment and high school credit-bearing courses focused on career readiness and work-based learning. Students who cannot normally access RISD took free courses in a range of topics, including fashion illustration, graphic design, painting, character design, industrial design and more.
RISD Teen Studio Intensive
Continuing Education collaborates with SFK International Art Education to provide a study abroad option to Chinese students interested in developing their portfolios. Through consecutive, daily studios, students develop critical thinking and concept-driven work on a fast-moving timeline.