RIA

The RIA Experience

The Real Innovative Artists (RIA) organizes events and exhibitions that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, enrich cultural experiences, and cultivate prosperity in our community of artists. 

RIA is launching a series of dynamic events aimed at fostering creativity, unity, and community engagement. We provide artists with tools and platforms while creating immersive and enriching experiences for our audience. Our events and exhibitions are thoughtfully curated to engage the human spirit, creating spaces where people's needs for connection and meaningful social interactions are truly met. 

The event series includes live music performances, workshops, art exhibitions– to elevate these experiences, RIA invested the Weisman Award grant into professional event equipment.

The name RIA is simple, yet deeply meaningful. Inspired by Ayu’s mother, Ria, and shaped with early guidance from Camryn’s father, it stands as a shared tribute to the love, wisdom, and creative spirit they both passed down.  

It all started on the first day of school at Columbia College Chicago, where Ayu and Camryn first met, both nervous yet excited to start a new chapter of their lives. Their pursuit of dreaming while studying abroad in Paris inspired the idea that would grow into RIA: Real Innovative Artists.  

RIA’s journey has been anything but straightforward. In the beginning, every resource was stretched just to keep the vision alive. Finding the right team, building trust, and forming a real community took time. RIA is actively working to secure the resources needed to compensate artists fairly and strengthen the organization from within, finding the formula that works and building RIA into a hub where our community can truly come together. 

RIA is a collective journey— one that began as a dream, grew with collaboration, and now has evolved into a vibrant community of multi-facited artists. As RIA continues to expand through new projects and we invite you to come be a part of the experience.