The RISD Museum has announced that Toby Sisson, associate professor of studio art, has been selected as the museum’s research resident for 2026.
Sisson is a Providence-based abstract artist whose creative practice spans drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, oil, encaustic, and mixed media. Her research explores themes at the intersection of history and race in America, with a recent focus on migration movements, placemaking, and the concept of homeland. She has also worked extensively in community-based service learning, collaborative public art, and curatorial projects—approaches that align deeply with the museum’s commitment to making the creative process accessible and engaging for all.
“As the residency doesn’t begin until January, I’m still ruminating on all the possibilities for engaging with the RISD Museum,” Sisson said. “Among the opportunities available, I’m certain I’ll explore the museum’s collection of artworks that address topics concerning migration movements and the concept of homeland and placemaking. These are subjects that I’m focusing on in my current work as it relates to the Great Migration — the movement of six million Black people from the American south to the north between 1910-1970.”
On Clark’s campus, you can see examples of Sisson’s current series of collages, An American Journey, on exhibit at the Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities. She recently hung more than a dozen artworks in the Higgins Lounge and there will be a public conversation about the exhibition titled Bearing Witness at Higgins in November. In 2022, she co-curated the exhibit Us Them We/Race Identity Ethnicity at the Worcester Art Museum.
Sisson’s work has been exhibited widely, including at the Tianjin Art Museum in China, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Hunterdon Museum of Art, the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, Louisiana State University, Rhode Island College, and St. Thomas University. Her art is held in public and private collections such as Brown University, the Worcester Art Museum, and the Newport Historical Society.
“Her innovative practice and deep engagement with issues of culture, identity, and materiality will bring a new viewpoint to our collection and strengthen the museum’s connections with the wider community.”
Deborah Clemons, director of public programs, RISD Museum
Established to support Providence metro–area artists, the Research Residency for Artists provides one local artist with a $10,000 stipend, professional development support, and the opportunity to engage with museum collections, staff, and the wider creative community. The program also helps the museum deepen relationships with many local artists and their networks, expanding awareness of the diverse practices and perspectives shaping the region. With an emphasis on process, experimentation, and collaboration, the residency invites artists to shape the direction of their research and practice, free from prescribed outcomes.
As research resident, Sisson will collaborate with RISD Museum curators, educators, and staff across departments as she delves into the museum’s collection. She is particularly eager to connect with the campus community and expand her network among artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners in Providence and across Rhode Island.
“I’m hopeful that my research at the RISD Museum will expand on my reflections on the Great Migration and connect to present-day migrations and emerging diasporas across the globe,” Sisson said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Toby to the museum,” said Deborah Clemons, director of public programs. “Her innovative practice and deep engagement with issues of culture, identity, and materiality will bring a new viewpoint to our collection and strengthen the museum’s connections with the wider community.”
The RISD Museum was founded in 1877 and operates as a nonprofit institution under the umbrella of the Rhode Island School of Design.
