Marva Griffin Wilshire awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Rhode Island School of Design

2024 has been an extremely fulfilling year for SaloneSatellite, which celebrated its 25th anniversary with Universo Satellite – a large exhibition at Triennale Milano tracing its history as an outpost of connections and discoveries – and which has seen its founder and curator receive the highest honour from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the most famous art and design institutions in the world.

On Saturday 1st June, in a packed hall and an emotional ceremony, the Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, USA) awarded Marva Griffin Wilshire, founder and curator of SaloneSatellite, an Honorary Doctor of Fine Art degree. This has always been the prestigious institution’s most important recognition, celebrating those whose dedication and passionate work have left an indelible mark on the world of art and design. It is recognition of Marva Griffin Wilshire’s talent, vision and free spirit, which have seen her become the creator of the first and most authoritative event in the world of design dedicated to professionals under 35 and the “godmother” of more than 14,000 young talents who, thanks to this launchpad, have gone on to gain a foothold in the international design scene.

The Rhode Island School of Design’s decision to award Marva Griffin Wilshire with an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Art was based on her huge commitment to supporting and giving a voice and opportunities to young talents with SaloneSatellite, which selected 600 emerging designers from 32 countries and hosted 22 international design schools and universities from 13 countries.

“It is a huge honour to receive this recognition: I have always had one single objective, which was to help the young people I knew to take part in the Salone del Mobile di Milano so they could show off their creativity to the world,” said Marva Griffin Wilshire.

Marva Griffin Wilshire’s Honorary Doctorate is also testament to the ability of SaloneSatellite to intercept ideas, languages and actors capable of expressing new horizons and visions, bolstering the link with the entire world of design production.

Following the Honorary Master's Degree in Design for the Product Service System, conferred on her in 2021 by Milan Polytechnic University, Marva Griffin Wilshire thus joins the ranks of many other famous names recognised by the Rhode Island School over the years.