Strategic Planning

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RISD is developing a new strategic plan to prepare for the institution’s next chapter, leading into its 150th anniversary and beyond. The process for creating the plan brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, trustees, and external partners to help identify the priorities, opportunities, and challenges shaping RISD’s future.

This community input, gathered through surveys, workshops, interviews, conversations, data research, and institutional initiatives, will help shape RISD’s priorities and long-term direction over the next three to five years.

white-on-black graphic timeline of R I S D’s strategic planning milestones

Process and inputs

RISD’s strategic planning process has drawn insight from more than 3,000 ideas, recommendations, and areas of focus gathered through nearly 1,000 voices across:

  • community input and feedback sessions
  • surveys and facilitated discussions
  • stakeholder interviews and focus groups
  • alumni and family engagement
  • trustee and industry conversations
  • recent institutional initiatives

These engagements are identifying shared priorities, opportunities, and areas of focus for RISD’s future. You can find more below about the recent institutional initiatives informing our strategic planning process.

Emerging themes

Across surveys, workshops, conversations, research, and community feedback sessions, several themes continue to emerge as priorities for RISD’s future.

These themes will continue evolving as additional engagement and synthesis work progresses.

three students sit at an outdoor dining table
Holistic health and community wellbeing
a student works on a laptop as another person observes them working
Student and alumni outcomes
a student attaches wires to a glass device with several nodes, as another student holds the glass attachment surface
Creative research and innovation
a student stands on a ladder as they and colleagues attach netting to a wood frame
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Students in protective gear prepare to remove fired ceramics pieces from the new raku kiln
Engagement and partnerships beyond campus
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Finance, facilities, and spaces

Progress updates

RISD will continue sharing updates, engagement opportunities, and timeline developments as the strategic planning process evolves. Recent community communications and updates can be found below.

Read all updates

Steering committee

Recent initiatives

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Community and Culture Assessment

Conducted in 2023, our campus-wide climate assessment examined the attitudes and behaviors of RISD’s campus community, as well as the guiding policies and procedures of the institution.

Image of Carr House roofline on campus amid fall foliage
Financial Optimization

The aim of this initiative is to strengthen RISD’s long-term financial sustainability, maximize limited funds, and build new and expanded revenue streams to sustainably support our core mission.

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Holistic Student Wellness

Through this initiative, we aim to align the living, learning, and working environments of RISD students with our values concerning their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

White flag with circular RISD logo in blue
NECHE Accreditation 2026

In accordance with the rules of RISD’s accrediting body, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), our 10-year self-study encompasses a rigorous, honest examination of how our institution operates per NECHE standards.

View from behind of students assembled at a RISD Commencement ceremony
Preparedness for Life After RISD

Responding to the ever-changing landscape of creative-industry careers, the Preparedness for Life After RISD initiative builds systems, structures, and practices to prepare RISD students to thrive in professional practice.

RISD Museum Director Tsugumi Maki in a gladd corrdior connecting museum buildings
The RISD Museum Strategic Plan 2025–2030

Through its most recent strategic plan, the RISD Museum will expand its storytelling exhibitions, enhance hands-on programs, and innovate with digital tools, in order to shape how it connects people to art, learning, and creativity.