Rhode Island School of Design gets $2.5M from David Rockefeller to fund endowed position

The Rhode Island School of Design has received $2.5 million from David Rockefeller to endow a curatorial position at the school's museum and to support a new gallery.

RISD announced Monday that Rockefeller's pledge would fund and expand the museum's collection of decorative arts and design.

RISD says the majority of the money will go toward a position to lead the department of decorative arts and design. The remaining funds will underwrite the David and Peggy Rockefeller Gallery to be located on the museum's European art floor. The school says it will also renovate a 400-square-foot corner gallery in the museum.

RISD says Rockefeller has promised the museum a gift of about 43 works of decorative art from his estate, including rare furniture, silverware and European porcelain.