Rhode Island School of Design is a art & design school institution in Providence, established in 1877. RISD is a private nonprofit art and design college in Providence, Rhode Island, founded in 1877. It enrolls approximately 2,577 students in 40+ degree programs and operates one of the largest college art museums in the United States. The school is affiliated with Brown University and has produced notable alumni including MacArthur Fellows, Emmy Award winners, and Academy Award recipients.