RISD Continuing Education — Youth Programs

RISD Continuing Education — Youth Camps from the Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Continuing Education at 20 Washington Place in downtown Providence runs youth and teen programs under the same brand that anchors Providence as an art city. Kids get instruction from actual RISD-connected teaching artists and designers — the bar is set at "work toward a real portfolio" rather than "keep them busy for an afternoon."

Youth Camps & Teen Programs

Summer-heavy schedule plus year-round weekend and workshop options. Classes include:
- Youth Camps (ages 6–12) spanning painting, drawing, sculpture, design
- Teen programs (ages 13–17) including portfolio prep
- Summer pre-college offerings for serious teens
- Weekend workshops across mediums
- Parent-child and family art workshops
- Specialty camps (fashion design, comics, printmaking)

What's Included

• Instruction from RISD-trained teaching artists
• Real RISD studio space (not rec-room tables)
• Age-appropriate supply kits included
• Teens' portfolio pieces appropriate for college applications
• Downtown Providence location easy to reach from East Side, Federal Hill, and the train
• Linked to RISD's main campus resources (museum visits, guest artists)

Experience

Kids and teens build real technical and conceptual skills at a serious art school rather than a neighborhood studio, with teen pipelines running straight into college-level portfolio readiness. Best fit for families whose kid has outgrown after-school art and for teens considering art school.