Art Education Commons^™

President Somerson Announces Action Plan For Social Equity, Risd President, Rosanne Somerson, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

President Rosanne Somerson's announcement of an Action Plan for Social Equity at RISD.

2020 Risd Bi+Poc Student Demands For Racial Equity & Inclusion, Risd Anti-Racism Coalition (Risdarc), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

RISD Anti-Racism Coalition (risdARC) demands document presented to the RISD Community, July, 2020.

The Waiting Room Photo Shoot, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Photos of The Waiting Room event participants with spa face masks and sliced cucumbers.

Opening text reads: Welcome to THE BAADEST Waiting Room, founded on May 3, 2017 in response to the blatant disrespect, and lethargic responses to BAAD's list of demands and the hours of free labor that SEA committee members volunteered in order to create concrete recommendations for the school to implement. We occupy this space as a display of discontent, disobedience, and radical self care in an institution that demands constant physical production. We demand that President Rosanne Somerson and administration members end the RISD cycle of …

Letter To Risd Community, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Malaika Temba, Qualeasha Wood, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Black Artists and Designers (BAAD) Letter to the RISD Community January, 2017.

No, You're Wrong., Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Student led campaign to discuss biases encountered during RISD critiques. "Let's Crit Crit" slogan.

Black Lives Matter, Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Black Lives Matter print poster displayed on campus.

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room facebook event description.

Text reads: Join us at our pop up spa for a full day of healing. In reaction to institutional neglect following last years "Not Your Token" Protest and Teach-In, and lack of response to RISD's SEA recommendations, we will open up for a day of self care on the 4th floor of Prov Wash as we massage the supremacy out of our institution. We'll have some treats for yall so wear and bring whatever you need (homework too!) to be your best, comfortable self.

This spa cannot treat afflictions of: racism, class differences, supremacy, …

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room event poster.

Text Reads: Welcome to THE BAADEST Waiting Room, founded on May 3, 2017 in response to the blatant disrespect, and lethargic responses to BAAD's list of demands and the hours of free labor that SEA committee members volunteered in order to create concrete recommendations for the school to implement. We occupy this space as a display of discontent, disobedience, and radical self care in an institution that demands constant physical production. We demand that President Rosanne Somerson and administration members end the RISD cycle of two-faced bullshitting and back-stabbing. If we do not receive a …

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room event poster.

It's Risd. Get Used To It., Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Student led campaign to discuss biases encountered during RISD critiques. "Let's Crit Crit" slogan.

Social Equities That Don't Exist Yet., Project Lets, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster for Social Equities that Don't Exists Yet, an unbiased conversation sponsored by the RISD chapter of Project LETS (Let's Erase The Stigma). Project LETS is a mental health advocacy group as well as a peer support network, dedicated to erasing the stigma around mental health and talking about mental health issues, especially as it relates to the RISD experience.

Black Lives Matter Free Community Printing Event, As220, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster promoting Black Lives Matter free printing event hosted by Providence artist collective AS220, displayed on campus.

Not Your Token, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster for Not Your Token protest organized by RISD BAAD (Black Artists And Designers), held April 6, 2016 in Market Square, Providence, RI.

Text Reads:

Not Your Token

It is not our job to educate you.
But we will demand to be listened to.
Who does this "progressive" institution represent?
When 'western' education is the only thing of value.
Equality does not equal equity.
Our identities and experiences cannot be bought.
We are more than a statistic.
We are more than a data point.
We are more than loose change.
We are people with a desire to learn;
And we …

Community Is Stronger Than Hate

Racial Justice

Community is Stronger Than Hate poster displayed on campus.

Black Lives Matter

Racial Justice

Black Lives Matter print poster displayed on campus.

We Demand, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

We Demand poster. Demands focused on racial justice made by RISD students to the administration in 2016.

Racism Is Not Normal, Misogyny Is Not Normal, Fraud Is Not Normal, Dwri Letterpress, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Letterpress printed poster created by Providence-based artist DWRI Letterpress displayed on campus.

Directions In The Work Of Black American Artists | Barry Gaither, Barry Gaither, Maurice Burns, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster using the three colors of the Pan-African flag, showing portrait omage of Dr. Barry Gaither, Curator for the Museumof the National Center of African American Artists. Derivation of previous poster (May 5 1970). May 4, 1970 was the date of the Kent State University campus shootings, where 4 anti-war protestors were shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard. RISD, as well as campuses across the U.S., shut down as students went on strike in protest of the Kent State killings. It is likely that the May 5 lecture was canceled and rescheduled for October 20, 1970 [see May …

Directions In The Work Of Black American Artists | Barry Gaither, Barry Gaither, Maurice Burns, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster using the three colors of the Pan-African flag, showing portrait omage of Dr. Barry Gaither, Curator for the Museumof the National Center of African American Artists. May 4, 1970 was the date of the Kent State University campus shootings, where 4 anti-war protestors were shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard. RISD, as well as campuses across the U.S., shut down as students went on strike in protest of the Kent State killings. It is likely that the May 5 lecture was canceled and rescheduled for the fall [see October 20, 1970 poster for same lecture].

Text reads: …

Black Artist In Graphic Communication, Dorothy Hayes, Reynold Ruffins, Mahler Ryder, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Poster for traveling exhibition of Black graphic designers. Held at Woods-Gerry gallery.

Black Emergency Cultural Coalition, Black Emergency Cultural Coalition, Johansen, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Black ink illustration of RISD campus and Providence, East Side hillside buildings, atop hands clasped in handshake. Text reads: Friday - March 27. Panel discussion with: The Art Workers Coalition & The Black Emergency Cultural Coalition regarding Artists & Community. 7:30 pm Refectory

Black Student Community Of Risd Statement Of Belief, 1969, Students Of Risd, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

A "Statement of Belief" and an outline for progress submitted by the Black student community at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) on January 15, 1969. It calls upon the administration to adjust its educational and social priorities to meaningfully incorporate and reflect Black American culture, noting that having only six Black students out of a student body of over one thousand constitutes tokenism. The document details six core points to address these systemic issues: Minority Student Recruitment, Financial Assistance, Recruitment Funding, Black Faculty and Staff Hiring, Curriculum Reform, and Long-Term Implementation. The petition concludes with an appeal for …

We The Black Community Of Rhode Island School Of Design, 1968, Students Of Risd, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

A declaration by the Black Community of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to the administration protesting institutional inequality, tokenism, lack of Black administrators / faculty, and announcing solidarity with Black students at Brown University.

White Affirmation Of Support For The Risd Black Community, 1968, Students Of Risd, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

A statement of solidarity written by "Concerned White Students" at Rhode Island School of Design. Key points: solidarity and self-determination , institutional racism, support for Black student demands, and a call to action to treat these demands with genuine seriousness and invites them to sign a forthcoming petition showing their formal support.