RISD continues to build on its tradition of fostering responsible innovation and ethical engagement by offering travel and on-site courses, lectures, symposia and partnered studios with nonprofit organizations; co-curricular public service and volunteer opportunities; and extracurricular pathways for community service, projects and partnerships.

In recent years, students and faculty have been particularly focused on projects dealing with environmental sustainability, climate change, health care, urban renewal/adaptive reuse and community-based art and design initiatives.

Each year incoming students get involved with community service projects through the Pre-Orientation Service Experience (POSE) and current students volunteer to work with local children on the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service.