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 2024 camp schedule

Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm

Week 1: July 8–12
Week 2: July 15–19
Week 3: July 22–26
Week 4: July 29–August 2
Week 5: August 5–9

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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, with brushes in hand, they form teams of makers to create projects that fit the weekly theme.

Themes

In the afternoons, students complete art projects that follow the week’s theme. Here is a list of themes students might engage with:

Theme Park Funfair
Wildlife Expedition
Voyaging Vessels
Folklore Reimagined
Time Travel Exploration

Themes vary from week to week and are subject to change.

Camp instructors

Our instructors are not only amazing teachers, but have successful artistic practices themselves. Each age group is guided by one instructor and one RISD staff counselor, 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 beach front, they will not be swimming in the water. Campers will need to bring:

A snack*, a bag lunch* and a water bottle
A beach towel or small blanket for sitting
A hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellent

*Due to severe allergic reactions, we ask that our campers and parents/guardians not bring peanut or tree nut-based foods.

COVID-19 information and protocols

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shifts toward the endemic stage of COVID-19, RISD has adjusted our protocols to stay consistent with sustainable health practices.

Visit RISD’s COVID-19 page for information and protocols pertinent to in-person Continuing Education programs. Topics include respiratory illness guidelines, isolation protocol, missing class, testing and vaccination. For the purposes of these protocols, non-residential students are regarded as campus visitors.

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 policies for children 12 and under

In the interest of safety for all students, please follow the guidelines below:

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

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. Ongoing construction on the Washington Bridge may cause heavy traffic in and around the Providence area and I-195; plan accordingly.

Authorized pick-up form
In the days leading up to your child’s camp, you will receive an email from risdce@risd.edu with instructions for completing the Authorized Pick-Up Form. The names of adults who are authorized to pick up your child must be submitted on this form. Students will not be able to participate in their class unless this is complete. If you need to add a name to this list, contact the Continuing Education office at risdce@risd.edu or 401 454-6200. We cannot release children to unauthorized adults. All adults must be prepared to show a photo ID to support authorization for pick-up.

Emergency contact information

All campers are required to submit emergency contact information. Students will not be able to participate in their class unless this is complete.

Medical and emergency response protocol

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

Camps at Tillinghast Place
There is no on-site emergency medical response team at Tillinghast Place. In case of an emergency, we will contact Barrington 911. We will also notify RISD Public Safety, and they will respond accordingly. We do not administer, hold or store any form of medicine during Youth Program classes or camps, including prescriptions.

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.