“The Spanish conquistador called the natives of the Visayas, the first locals they encountered, pintados (painted people) because their bodies conveyed zigzags, diamonds, circles, lines, and other geometric configurations. They appeared to be dressed in a kind of handsome armor engraved with very fine work, a dress so esteemed by them they take it for their proudest attire...By their own resplendence, tattoos project a sense of heightened physical beauty, though they’re worth much more than that. Never just skin-deep, they reflect the Filipino soul.”
-Who is the Pintados, Anita Feleo
Course Dates: Jun 9, 2024 — Jun 30, 2024
2.5 GPA required. Non-RISD participants see eligibility requirements below.
Included tuition, round trip airfare from Boston Logan International Airport, accommodation, in-country transportation, field trips, entrance fees, some group meals and international travel health insurance.
The Philippines is a country full of diverse artistic traditions. This course will focus on the history and practices of tattooing and weaving through the lens of drawing. These traditional practices are important art forms that have survived long waves of colonization and global trends. By using drawing as a medium that allows for close investigation and different methods of inquiry, students will learn the drawing techniques involved in historical practices of tattooing and weaving.
This immersive travel abroad course is designed to provide RISD students with a rich understanding of Filipino arts, culture, and traditions through tattoos and mat weaving– both a reflection of the nation’s rich history, beliefs, and a testament to the resilience of indigenous tribes who continue to pass down these traditions today. Students will travel to three regions: Manila, The Cordillera, and Cebu Province. Through a combination of museum/gallery visits, cultural site visits, interviews with locals, workshops, hands-on learning mat weaving techniques, students will gain insights into the vibrant patterns of skeins, mats, and tattoos that represent some of the artistic traditions in the Philippines.
Round trip airfare departing from and returning to Boston Logan International Airport is included in the course cost.
If your current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, you are eligible for registration. If your current cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, you must first contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu to seek exception to this academic policy.
If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art/design college or institution around the world, or a professional practicing in the field, you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation/support form from your institution/workplace.
In order to register for RISD Global summer studies, you are expected to have a high level of English (speech, writing, and comprehension) as all coursework and critique is delivered in English.
Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June/July, and you are required to attend all program activities scheduled during the travel course. RISD Global Summer Studies comply with RISD class attendance policy. In case of unexcused or multiple absences, you may be removed from the course, given a grade of “W" (withdrawal) or a grade of “F” (fail).
Requesting to withdraw from a RISD off-campus global learning program, including RISD Global Summer Studies, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy. It is not possible for a student to drop a RISD Global Summer Studies travel course via the standard Add/Drop process after it has commenced. In the case of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances (and only after students have spoken with the faculty lead and RISD Global for approval to withdraw from the program), students should be aware that no refund will be issued.
In order to reserve a seat, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at the time of application submittal. Students who apply between February 1, 2024, and March 1, 2024, will have until March 1, 2024, to submit full payment. Student who apply between March 2, 2024, and the application deadline, March 15, 2024, will make full payment within 24 hours of the application being submitted. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $500 deposit and their seat in the course.
All RISD students enrolled in RISD and other full degree schools/universities are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in Global Summer Studies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all RISD students. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course.
In cases where summer travel courses and studios do not reach full capacity, the course may be canceled after the last day of registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Global Summer Studies courses until the course is confirmed.
The deadline for Global Summer Studies 2024 has now passed.
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Have questions? The RISD Global team is available to meet for a 1:1 advising session. We can give you more information about your study options, help you figure out which program makes sense for you, and assist you with the application process.
Schedule an AppointmentNo announcements for this program.