Massachusetts College of Art and Design facts for kids
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| Type | Public art school |
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| Established | 1873 |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
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Academic affiliations
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AICAD Colleges of the Fenway NASAD Professional Arts Consortium |
| President | Mary K. Grant |
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Academic staff
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302 |
| Students | 1,941 |
| Undergraduates | 1,682 |
| Postgraduates | 259 |
| Location |
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42°20′13″N 71°05′59″W / 42.336809°N 71.099614°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Nickname | MassArt |
| Mascot | Mastodon [1] |
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 Location in Massachusetts
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Massachusetts College of Art and Design, also known as MassArt, is a public college in Boston, Massachusetts. It focuses on visual and applied art. Founded in 1873, it is one of the oldest art schools in the United States. It is also the only public art school in the country that is independent. MassArt was the first art college in the U.S. to offer an art degree.
MassArt is part of the Colleges of the Fenway. This is a group of colleges in Boston that share resources and facilities. It is also a member of the ProArts Consortium. This group includes seven Boston-area colleges focused on visual and performing arts.
Contents
Discovering MassArt's History
In the 1860s, important leaders in Massachusetts wanted to improve education. They helped create new schools for technology and fine art. These included the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1860) and the Museum of Fine Arts (1868).
The third school they founded was the Massachusetts Normal Art School in 1873. Its main goal was to train drawing teachers for public schools. It also trained professional artists, designers, and architects.
Early Locations and Growth
For its first ten years, the state rented different places for the school in Boston. In 1886, the state built the school's first own building. It was located at the corner of Exeter and Newbury streets.
In 1929, the school moved to a new campus at Longwood and Brookline avenues. Later, in 1983, MassArt moved again. It took over the former campus of Boston State College. This campus is at the corner of Longwood and Huntington avenues.
Boston calls Huntington Avenue the "Avenue of the Arts." This is because many art and cultural places are located there. MassArt, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Boston Symphony Hall are all on this street.
Important Moments in Time
- 1870: A law made drawing a required subject in Massachusetts public schools.
- 1873: The Massachusetts Normal Art School was created.
- 1886: The school got its first dedicated building.
- 1901: The first person of color graduated from the school.
- 1905: An alumnus, Albert Munsell, created an important color system.
- 1924: The school became the first art school to grant a Bachelor of Science degree in art education.
- 1929: The school's name changed to Massachusetts School of Art.
- 1959: The school was renamed Massachusetts College of Art.
- 1969: The Studio for Interrelated Media was started. This was one of the first interdisciplinary art programs.
- 1983: The school moved to its current campus.
- 1989: MassArt opened its first dormitory, Walter Smith Hall.
- 2007: The college's official name changed to Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
- 2016: The Design and Media Center opened. It added 40,000 square feet of new space.
- 2021: Mary K. Grant became the thirteenth president of MassArt.
Learning at MassArt
MassArt offers many different art and design programs. It is approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Students can earn a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. They can also get master's degrees in Art Education, Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design Innovation.
MassArt also has programs for high school students. These programs help them get ready for college. There are also classes for professional artists and others who want to learn more. MassArt still helps train art teachers for schools, just like it did when it started.
First-Year Art Basics
All first-year students at MassArt take a "Foundation Program." This program teaches them the basics of 2D and 3D art and design. It helps them build a strong base for their art studies. Students also take other art classes and critical studies courses.
About 30% of MassArt students are from diverse backgrounds. This includes Asian, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and multiracial students.
Fun Traditions and Events
MassArt has some unique traditions. The "MassArt Iron Corps" holds an "Iron Pour" event about four times a year. During this event, white-hot melted iron is poured into molds to create sculptures. It's a very exciting and dramatic event!
The 2D Fine Arts department hosts an annual Master Print Series. A visiting artist works with students and teachers to create professional prints. This gives students a chance to learn from experienced artists.
The MassArt Auction is a special event held in April. Important artworks are sold to raise money for student scholarships. This helps students pay for their education.
MassArt Art Museum
The MassArt Art Museum (MAAM) opened in February 2020. It is a free museum on MassArt's campus that shows contemporary art. It used to be called the Bakalar and Paine Galleries. After big renovations, it reopened with a new name and a bigger mission. The museum's entrance is next to the main public entrance of MassArt's buildings.
Exploring the Campus
MassArt's main campus is at 621 Huntington Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. It includes a mix of old and new buildings. Many of its academic buildings used to be part of Boston State College.
MassArt is on Huntington Avenue, known as "The Avenue of the Arts." It is also close to the Longwood Medical Area. Nearby neighbors include the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Getting Around Campus
The MassArt campus has several buildings connected together. These include Kennedy, South, Collins, North, East, and Tower. The 13-story Tower Building is a main feature. The Morton R. Godine Library is on the top two floors of the Tower Building.
The new Design and Media Center building is the main entrance to the campus. It has a large lobby for art installations and exhibits. It also has modern media labs, classrooms, and galleries. A timeline of MassArt's history is displayed along a ramp in the lobby.
Art Galleries and Displays
MassArt has at least seven galleries on campus. These galleries are used for student shows and exhibitions. They include the Arnheim, Brant, Doran, Godine Family, Frances Euphemia Thompson, and Student Life galleries. The Design and Media Center also has gallery spaces.
You can also find art displayed informally all over the campus. Students often put their artwork in hallways, stairwells, and even outdoor spaces.
Student Homes: Residence Halls
MassArt has three student residence halls. They are located across the street from the main campus. These are "Treehouse" (578 Huntington Ave.), Smith Hall (640 Huntington Ave.), and "The Artists' Residence" (600R Huntington Ave.). All dorms have security, internet, and meal plans.
Smith Hall is for first-year students. It has suite-style living spaces for 3 to 5 students. The Artists' Residence, also called "The Rez," houses freshmen, upperclassmen, and graduate students. It is the first public dorm in the U.S. designed specifically for art students. It even has studio spaces and a spray room!
Treehouse is a colorful 21-story dorm tower. It houses mostly first-year and sophomore students. The second floor has a Student Health Center. The third floor, called the "Pajama Floor," has a game room, study room, laundry, and a community kitchen.
Other Campus Resources
MassArt students have access to many useful facilities. These include a cafeteria, a café, a school store, and a library. There's also a student center, health center, and fitness center.
Unique facilities include a working letterpress lab, 10 art galleries, and various studio spaces. There's a woodworking shop, a digital maker's studio, and a glass studio.
Being part of the Colleges of the Fenway means MassArt students can use facilities at five other nearby schools. This includes their libraries and athletic resources. MassArt students also get free admission to several museums. These include the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Famous People from MassArt
Many talented artists and designers have studied or taught at MassArt. Here are just a few:
- Ben Edlund (creator of The Tick)
- Ed Emberley (artist and illustrator)
- Nancy Haigh (Oscar-winning set designer)
- Hal Hartley (filmmaker)
- Christian Marclay (artist)
- Tony Millionaire (artist, creator of the comic strip Maakies)
- Albert Henry Munsell (inventor of the Munsell Color System)
- William Wegman (artist and photographer)
- N. C. Wyeth (artist and illustrator)
See also
In Spanish: Colegio de Arte y Diseño de Massachusetts para niños
- Colleges of the Fenway
