The RISD Museum, founded in 1877 and integrally linked with the Rhode Island School of Design, serves both the public and the academy as a world‑class art and design institution. It houses a collection nearing 100,000 objects—from Asian and ancient artifacts to French Impressionist paintings and contemporary works across media—and is among the only comprehensive art museums in southeastern New England. Its seven curatorial departments support rotating exhibitions, lectures, workshops, tours, and research, engaging both creators and communities in exploration of artistic expression across time and cultures.