Teen In-Person Courses
(Ages 13–17)

RISD campus

Join us for your next artistic exploration. Experiment with a new medium or build skills in a familiar one. If you’re a beginner artist, gain foundation in art and design. Teen courses will help you build confidence in expressing yourself and sharpening your ability to think critically.

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REGISTRATION OPENING SOON FOR WINTER & SPRING COURSES

Spring 2027 in-person class schedule

Fall registration opens: November 17, 2026

Scholarship application deadline: February 9, 2027

Registration deadline: April 22, 11:59pm ET

Classes begin: April 24, 2027

Classes end: May 22, 2027

Looking to take a teen class sooner? Our Winter 2027 online courses for Teens begin January 16.

Teenage boy holding a taxidermy reptile specimen for drawing.

Winter and Spring Registration Opening November 17.

Before registering, review important teen course information.

Courses available soon

Not local to Rhode Island?

Location

Teen in-person courses are held on RISD’s main campus in Providence, Rhode Island, with several taking advantage of resources including the RISD Museum and Nature Lab. There is no residential or overnight option for these courses.

Some classes might take place in a location accessible only by stairs. 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

Each course is led by an instructor with a teaching assistant. Our instructors are dedicated teachers with successful studio practices. Students receive feedback throughout each day of class. On the last day, instructors meet briefly with each student to review your progress and performance during the course.

Bring a snack (peanut and tree nut free) if you would like one and a water bottle each day. Remember to bring a lunch if taking both a morning and an afternoon course. You may visit spaces outside of your designated classroom, so wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and shoes. All art supplies will be provided.

Courses that include figure drawing use anatomical images of the human figure. These images portray nude bodies to build an understanding of kinesthetics and anatomy of the human form. Some courses may involve figure drawing sessions that feature a nude or lightly clothed model. Photography of models is not permitted.

Questions

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

Important teen course information

RISD Continuing Education policies

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

Attendance

RISD’s attendance policy requires students to attend all classes regularly and promptly. Absences and tardiness are recorded daily on each student’s record and are considered by instructors when reviewing end-of-course feedback. If you will miss a class meeting, contact the front desk to alert program staff and instructors. Our team will provide information on missed assignments to stay on track. Teen students are not required to be signed in and out of class by a parent/guardian, even in the event of an unusual departure (see “Medical and emergency response protocol”).

Disability Support Services

Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education attempts to make its classes, programs, events and services accessible by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations. If you need 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.

Emergency contact information

All students in our youth programs are required to have emergency contact information included on their student profile. You will not be able to participate unless this is complete.

Medical and emergency response protocol

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). If students’ departure from class will be normal (as scheduled for their class) or unusual (after hours, at a different location, etc.), students will still be permitted to leave class on their own as planned, with no requirement to be picked up/signed out by a parent/guardian. 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.

Protection of minors

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

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

Title IX

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.