RISD/Arts and Humanities lectures (32.02)

Historical note

After the completion of the Andrew W. Mellon Lecture Series in 1987, which firmly established visiting artist lectures as an invaluable addition to the liberal and fine arts education, the RISD community sought new funding opportunities to continue allowing students to engage with notable scholars. The resulting Arts and Humanities Lecture Series, which ran from 1987-1990, brought noted philosophers, historians, authors, critics, artists, and humanists to campus to expose student artists to broader perspectives.

The first two years of funding was provided by the R.I. State Council on the Arts, with further funding coming from private donors. Artists in the lecture series included Errol Morris, Adrienne Rich, Alexander Ginzberg, and Frances Fitzgerald.

The complete roster of visiting lecturers is as follows:

1987-1988:

• Alexander Ginzberg
• Eric Fischl
• Frances Fitzgerald
• Maurice Sendak
• Jack Lenor Larson
• Ann Beattie

1988-1989:

• Patrick Conroy
• Brice Marden
• Arthur Danto
• Kate Millett
• Richard Meier
• Carlos Fuentes

1989-1990:

• Errol Morris
• Gunther Schuller
• Marcia Tucker
• April Gornik
• Adrienne Rich