We offer over 30 annual events in both in-person and remote formats. Students are encouraged to check their RISD email for weekly announcements in order to get the most out of these amazing career programs and workshops! The most recent archive recordings of past events are available below for a limited time.
Exhibition Opportunities
There can be a lot of mystery in how to approach and work with galleries and institutions, especially as you pursue exhibition opportunities. Join us to gain firsthand perspectives on finding and developing opportunities that will build your arts career. You'll hear directly from gallery and museum representatives along with RISD artists, who will offer specific tips and best practices to help improve your approach. There will also be time for you to ask questions of our guest arts professionals.
Prep for the Fine Arts Portfolio Review
Be prepared to show your artwork and connect with arts professionals at the Fine Arts Portfolio Review Remote event on April 24th & 25th. This is an unparalleled opportunity to build your fine arts network as you consider future exhibitions, residencies, grants, resources and more. You'll have access to gallery owners, curators, museum professionals, residencies and arts organizations and you'll want to make the most of this opportunity! Learn what should be in your portfolio, how many pieces/projects, what to say about your work, how it should be shown and what to leave behind. Hear about the essential skills of researching the organizations, introducing yourself, and following up after the event.
Creating Portfolio & Demo Reel
Portfolios and demo reels are influential in gaining an internship, job, exhibition or freelance work. Learn the ideal methods to curate and present your work to make a bold first impression and to stand out against the competition. Have you ever wondered what employers, potential clients or fine art organizations want to see? We'll share insights from renowned creatives and recruiters who are seeking RISD talent. Whether you're just starting out or looking for fresh ideas to display your work online or in-person, you will come away from this program with a clear strategy and inspiration.
Ready Set Freelance
Get ready for this fast-paced workshop covering every aspect of the wide world of freelancing! Long-time freelancers Ed Shems (91 IL) and Justin Perricone will guide you through the rewards and potential pitfalls of a freelance creative career. They'll cover everything from finding clients, to creating contracts, to delivering concepts, to sending a final invoice and other steps that lead to a successful project and a happy (returning!) client. They'll talk about pivoting during tough times, and you'll also learn tips for how to sell your services to new clients, the basics of setting up your business, passive income opportunities, and how to have the money conversation without panicking - all so you can enjoy more freelance success!
Jobs & Internships / Find, Target, Apply
Discover the steps you need to take to get the job or internship you want. Determine who you want to work for, where you want to be, and how to make this happen. Brush up on how to effectively use RISD’s job and internship database, Artworks, and have your questions answered about the internship process - paperwork, credits and what to expect from the experience. Go beyond internship and job listings to craft your own opportunity using directories, associations and social networking. Now is the best time to be active in this process!
Prep for Design Portfolio Review Remote 2023
Get ready for the Design Portfolio Review Remote event which will host an estimated 2,500 remote portfolio reviews taking place over two evenings - March 14th & 15th. Be prepared for the upcoming sign-up process, individual reviews, and future interviews. Learn what should be in your portfolio, how to introduce yourself, what to say about your work, how it should be shown and more. Acquire essential skills to research companies of interest, plan who you want to meet with, and how to follow up.
Resources for 1st Year Undergrad Student
Be ready for future internships, jobs, exhibitions, awards and more. At this talk, you will learn how to start exploring career paths, begin developing your professional materials, find internships and professional opportunities, and discover how to connect with alumni and creative professionals. Whether you know exactly what you want your career to look like or have no idea, this talk will help you get started on the right path. You'll be inspired to take the next steps in exploring the numerous professional paths available to artists and designers!
Fulbright Info Session w/ Fulbrighter Presentations and Q&A
Interested in a cross-cultural exchange experience in which you can promote mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and people of other countries? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed Study/Research projects for 9-12 months in over 140 countries. This remarkable opportunity is open to all disciplines and all kinds of creative projects. During their grants, Fulbrighters meet, work, live with, and learn from the people of the host country. Through thoughtfully designed project activities, research, and artistic practice, Fulbrighters have meaningful engagement in the community and promote mutual understanding. This Information Session will provide you with an overview of the program and the application process, along with motivation to develop your ideas and jump in! We are thrilled that RISD Fulbrighters Jessy Lu ’16 BFA Textiles to Taiwan and Mandy Lee ’22 MFA Glass to the Czech Republic will join us to contribute their insights and share their experiences.
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Grants & Residencies Info Session
Learn about all the steps you need to consider as you pursue grant and residency applications. We will explore opportunities, review search directories, and discuss the key components of applications. Resources and tips will be provided to help you begin your exploration, and you will gain valuable insights and confidence that will motivate you to apply to opportunities. You'll also understand the role of essays, budgets, timelines, references, and more in the process. Come for the information; stay to chat, ask questions, and learn from others’ questions.
Networking and Building Professional Relationships
Networking is a vital part of a successful creative career, but often artists and designers are uncertain how to start building professional connections. The good news is that networking doesn't have to be scary or intimidating. In this session, we'll explore what networking truly is about. We'll answer questions like: Why is networking valuable? What are the best networking resources available to you? How can you maintain networking connections over time? We'll explore key tools like LinkedIn, Instagram, RISD alumni groups, professional associations, and more! We'll also discuss what to say when you reach out to professionals and how to engage in effective networking conversations.
We educate and advise all students and alumni on how to effectively translate their education and creativity into fulfilling professional experiences. We do this with deep respect for individual differences and for each person’s unique aspirations and goals.