Full-Day Summer Camps

(Ages 6–8 and 9–12)

Tillinghast Place, summer only

RISD Art Camp is a week-long option for students 6–8 and 9–12 years old. Each day at camp, students celebrate their creative strengths while developing new skills to apply during individual and group projects. Campers build their confidence, make new friends, and create beyond their expectations. RISD Art Camp is surprising, fun, carefully planned, and artfully coordinated.

With a special focus on collaborative thinking and artmaking, each group experiences art through playful exploration. In the mornings, students spend time in a guided art lesson that highlights specific media across 2D and 3D options. Students will not be sitting at desks all day; campers stay inspired during nature walks on the beach and in the woods, and the daily schedule includes plenty of time for recreational activities in the outdoor green areas. Each Friday during the program, families are invited to join an art celebration before collecting their student’s work to bring home.

Summer 2025 camp schedule

Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm
Art show each Friday

Week 1: July 7–11
Week 2: July 14–18
Week 3: July 21–25
Week 4: July 28–August 1
Week 5: August 4–8

2025 registration opens March 4, 12 am ET

Before registering, review important camp information.

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Location

Tillinghast Place (Barrington, RI): The rolling lawns, acres of woods, and panoramic views of Narragansett Bay form the canvas for your child’s adventure! Our camps are inspired by the location and build on RISD’s expertise in art and design education.

Age groups

RISD Art Camp organizes students by age group during daily art activities:

Ages 6–8: Students experience self-expression through making, and practice identifying their individual characteristics. They have the chance to share these moments of discovery with their peers and growing community.
Ages 9–12: Students experience more opportunities for choice while being encouraged to push their creative boundaries. In the afternoons, they form teams to create projects that fit the weekly theme.

Themes

Each day, students participate in art activities that follow the week’s theme. This year, we offer two themes that will alternate from week to week.

Marine Marvels
Terrestrial Treasures

We do not recommend enrolling in the same theme more than once since many activities and lessons will be repeated.

Camp instructors

Our instructors are dedicated teachers with successful artistic practices. Each age group is guided by one instructor and assistant, allowing for individual support.

Questions

If you have any questions about whether your camper will thrive at RISD Art Camp, contact RISD CE: risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200.

Important camp information

What to bring to camp

All art supplies will be provided. Students will be spending time outdoors (weather permitting). Although students will visit the beachfront, they will not be swimming in the water. Campers will need to bring:

Lunch*
Afternoon snack*
Water bottle
Hat
Sunscreen (should also be applied before drop-off)
Insect repellent

*We ask that campers and parents pack foods that are free of peanuts and tree nuts.

You're invited! Art show, Friday afternoon

On Friday, families are invited to join us for a closing celebration. Tour the studios and learn about the creative endeavors of your child and their fellow young artists. Meet RISD’s camp instructors and staff before packing up the car with your child’s creations.

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.

Drop-off and pick-up

All campers must be signed in and out by an adult. RISD staff will only release your child to an authorized adult. All adults should be prepared to provide photo ID at pick-up.

Morning drop-off: While instructors may arrive early to prepare materials for class, they are not responsible for supervising your child before the start of class. Should you arrive early, please stay with your child until the class is ready to begin.

Afternoon pick-up: We ask that parents/guardians pick up their children promptly at the end of camp. Should a parent/guardian arrive more than 15 minutes late, they will be assessed a fee of $20. Consistent lateness for pick-up may result in removal from the program.

Required form: Authorized Pick-Up & Emergency Medical Information
We will send you a link to this form the week before your child’s camp. This form must be filled out before your child can be dropped off at Art Camp. Include the information of any adults that you authorize to pick your child up from camp. 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 carries an inhaler or EpiPen. 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.

Emergency contact information

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

Camper health and safety

Your child’s safety is our number one priority. Campers will be supervised by a CPR and first aid-trained staff member at all times. Review the following information and contact the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200 if you have any questions.

Emergency response
There is no on-site emergency medical response team at Tillinghast Place. In the event of a medical emergency, camp staff will first contact Barrington Emergency Services and then call the child’s emergency contact.

Medication policy
Non-emergency medications are not permitted at camp. Emergency medications (rescue inhalers and epinephrine injectors) will be collected by camp staff each morning. These medications must have a legible and up-to-date prescription label and be stored with a valid copy of your child’s Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan or Asthma Action Plan, completed by their pediatrician.

Protection of minors

RISD is dedicated to the welfare and safety of all persons who participate in college-sponsored events. The majority of Minors take part in programs 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 on campus are governed by this policy. This reporting obligation also extends to information about suspected abuse, neglect, or inadequate care provided by a parent, guardian, or custodian/caretaker. 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. In an emergency off campus only, dial 911. Public Safety’s non-emergency extension is 6376 (from standard phones, 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.