Rhode Island School of Design Museum

The RISD Museum is an art museum in Providence, Rhode Island, housing a broad collection of works spanning different artistic traditions and time periods. The galleries display ancient objects, paintings, sculptures, prints, and decorative arts arranged across multiple exhibition spaces.

The museum was founded in 1877 and began with a collection of etchings and plaster casts. Over time, the institution expanded into a major repository for artworks from around the world.

The museum displays artworks from many cultures and time periods, ranging from ancient objects to contemporary works. Visitors encounter French paintings alongside Asian sculptures and American craftsmanship traditions, showing how artistic expression varies across regions and generations.

The museum is located in downtown Providence and is easily reached by public transportation. Visitors can explore permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions, and browse a large portion of the collection online at their own pace.

The museum preserves the Charles L. Pendleton Collection, which holds exceptional furniture pieces from the 18th century crafted by Newport artisans. This collection demonstrates the skill and design traditions that defined a particular region's artistic heritage.