绘画中的MFA计划通过严格的工作室实践的演变来强调批判性和艺术性的发展。尽管对绘画的历史和工艺有着共同的热情，但是系教授致力于帮助每个学生发展自己的视野，支持形式和概念方法，绘画风格和兴趣的多种多样。在RISD居住的两年中，研究生们对当代绘画所呈现的广泛可能性和现实进行了认真的调查。展示出从事艺术家职业并维持严格的美术实践所需的意图，动力和工具，展示出与当代艺术中的前沿话语互动所需要的强大的视觉，语言和技术技能，制作出利用内容，形式，过程和语境之间的相互依存，欣赏了并非专门用于复制的作品的物质品质和物理方
Our MFA program in Painting emphasizes critical and artistic growth through the evolution of a rigorous studio practice. With a shared passion for the history and craft of painting binding the department together, faculty assist you in developing their own vision, supporting an enormous diversity of formal and conceptual approaches, painting styles and interests. During your two years in residence here, you take on a serious investigation of the possibilities and realities presented by contemporary painting.