What is RISD Unbound?
RISD Unbound is an art book fair at Rhode Island School of Design celebrating artists’ books, zines, and experimental printed matter created by RISD students and community, local artists and designers, as well as publishers, artists, designers, and enthusiasts from across the region. Through exhibits and sales, Unbound seeks to inspire conversations around cultural publishing in the Providence community. RISD Unbound is free and open to the public!
Location + Parking + Arrival
The fair is located on the 1st floor of Fleet Library at RISD in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The building entrance is at 15 Westminster Street. Exhibitor tables are located in four places within the 1st floor: the Main Hallway, the RISD Library Living Room, the RISD Library Study Terrace and the Library Mezzanine. The latter two locations are up a flight of stairs. The building is wheelchair accessible, and there is a staff-operated accessible lift in the Library that reaches the Study Terrace and Mezzanine. There are gender-neutral, accessible, single-stall restrooms on the 1st floor, and gender-segregated, stalled restrooms on the 2nd floor each of which have one accessible stall.
RISD parking lots will be available to exhibitors on a first-come first-serve basis. Please pick up a parking pass at the check-in table.
Designated public parking lots and garages are located throughout downtown Providence. Metered street parking is also available throughout Providence. Rules and restrictions are posted on signs along the streets.
The parking spaces in front of 15 Westminster Street will be reserved for unloading and loading on April 15 from 9:30–11am and 5–6pm. We will have volunteers available to watch your materials after unloading while you park your vehicle.
check-in
Please arrive between 9:30am and 10:30am for check-in. Visit the UNBOUND check-in table in the Main Hallway to receive your table location and welcome packet. You must check in by 10:50am. If you are running late please contact us at risdunbound@risd.edu so that we know you are on your way. We will release your table at 10:50am if you have not checked in or contacted us.
set-up
You have been assigned either a half table or a full table for set-up. Full tables are approximately 6 feet long and 30 inches wide, making half tables approximately 3 feet long. Each table will be set up with two chairs (unless you have requested additional chairs) and labeled with the exhibitor’s requested name (from the application).
Power outlets are not accessible from every table, so charge your devices! You may want to bring: tools, adhesives, pens, markers, power strips, tabletop display racks, tablecloths and decorations, etc. Exhibitors will not be able to mount works on walls. Please plan to fit your work and displays within the constraints of the table top. Due to fire codes, racks and items that do not fit on your tabletop are not allowed. Space under and behind the table can be used for your storage and supplies.
wifi & money-related matter
Wifi will be available on-site. To make customer purchases easy, please consider preparing for a range of purchasing methods—cash, credit cards, Venmo, PayPal. Bring your own cash to make change, consider bringing a credit card purchasing system for your sales, and consider setting up a Venmo or PayPal account prior to the fair. Be sure to pack multiples of your work in case you sell more than anticipated! We discourage any exhibitors from closing early.
The Wifi network name is RISD-Unbound Password: R1SDis#1:
event schedule
The fair will be open to the public from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
clean-up
Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning up their own tables. Clean-up will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. Please be sure to have your space cleared and any boxes or supplies out of the building before 6:00 p.m. Trash receptacles will be available on-site.
food
The fair is conveniently located in the same building as RISD’s Portfolio Cafe where meals, snacks, and beverages are available for purchase. Water fountains are available in the building. Other dining options are located throughout downtown Providence.
social media
Help us spread the good word about Unbound and share the event with others on social media. Make sure to tag all your posts: #risdunbound2024
policies & disclaimers
Per RISD policy, only service animals are allowed in the library. Emotional support animals are not permitted.
RISD Unbound reserves the right to refuse the application and/or participation of any person or company for any reason.
RISD Unbound does not assume any responsibility or obligation to provide financial or other assistance, including, but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance in the event of injury, illness, death, or property damage, resulting from participation in the event.