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Museum · Providence, Rhode Island
RISD Museum
The RISD art museum on College Hill: Egyptian mummy, wooden Japanese Buddha, European painting, costumes and a wing of American furniture and silverware.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About RISD Museum
The Rhode Island School of Design Museum (RISD Museum) was founded in 1877 alongside the art and design school and occupies a complex of interconnected buildings on the slope of College Hill, with entrances on Benefit Street and North Main Street. The collection holds about one hundred thousand objects and is among the largest university art museums in the country.
Collections range from ancient art, with an Egyptian mummy and Greek and Roman pieces, to Asian art, which includes a large wooden Buddha sculpture from Japan, European painting with works by Monet, Cézanne and Manet, and modern and contemporary art.
The Pendleton House, the decorative arts wing, recreates a 19th-century house with American furniture, silver and porcelain, many made in Rhode Island. There are also costume and textile galleries, a department in which the museum excels.
The galleries are organized to complement the school’s teaching, and temporary design and student exhibitions occupy part of the space throughout the year.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Best time
At any time of year; it’s a good option for rainy days. Hours vary during the week, and the museum is closed some days; confirm before you go.
How to get there
It’s on Benefit Street in College Hill, about a 10-minute walk from Waterplace Park, across the river. There is an admission fee; check the current rates.
Tip
Enter via Benefit Street and combine the visit with a walk along the street and through Brown University’s campus. Start at the Japanese Buddha, one of the best-known pieces.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about RISD Museum
What to see at the RISD museum?
The wooden Japanese Buddha sculpture, the Egyptian mummy, European paintings including Monet and Manet, and the Pendleton House with American furniture.
Where is the RISD museum?
On College Hill, with an entrance on Benefit Street, about a 10-minute walk from downtown Providence.
How long does a visit to the RISD museum take?
From an hour and a half to two and a half hours for the main collections.