Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, MA

publicgraduate

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Quick Facts

1873

Founded

Public art school

Type

1,939

Total Students

1,682

Undergrad

257

Graduate

Special Focus Four-Year

Classification

President: Mary K. Grant

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Massachusetts College of Art and Design

MassArt: Pioneering public art and design education on Boston's Avenue of the Arts since 1873.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) stands as a vibrant beacon in Boston's esteemed "Avenue of the Arts," nurturing creative talent since its founding in 1873. As the nation's first publicly-supported art college, MassArt has a proud legacy of innovation, initially established to train art teachers for public schools and foster professional artists and designers. Today, it continues to lead in art and design education, offering a dynamic environment for students to explore and define their artistic voices.

MassArt is celebrated for its comprehensive academic offerings, including Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Architecture (MArch), and Master of Design (MDes) degrees. The college pioneered interdisciplinary approaches, notably with the founding of its Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) in 1969—one of the earliest programs of its kind. Prospective students will find a rigorous curriculum that balances traditional techniques with cutting-edge media, preparing them for diverse and impactful careers in the creative industries.

Situated amidst cultural giants like the Museum of Fine Arts, MassArt provides an unparalleled student experience. Its urban campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently opened Design and Media Center, fostering a collaborative and inspiring atmosphere. With a commitment to guaranteed housing for first-year students and a vibrant community of nearly 2,000 students, MassArt cultivates an inclusive and engaging environment where creativity thrives and futures are shaped.

Key Highlights

✦Founded in 1873 as the Massachusetts Normal Art School, a pioneering public art institution.
✦Located on Boston's prestigious "Avenue of the Arts," surrounded by world-class cultural institutions.
✦First art school in the United States to grant a degree (Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1924).
✦Home to the pioneering Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM), one of the earliest interdisciplinary college art programs, established in 1969.
✦Offers a diverse range of degrees, including BFA, MFA, Master of Architecture, and Master of Design.
✦An alumnus, Albert Munsell, developed what became the world's leading color system in 1905.
✦Supports a vibrant community of 1,939 students with guaranteed housing for all first-year students.

Timeline

1873

Legislature appropriates $7,500 to establish the Massachusetts Normal Art School.

1886

New Massachusetts Normal Art School building is constructed at Newbury and Exeter Streets.

1924

Becomes the first art school in the country to grant a degree, the Bachelor of Science in art education.

1929

School is renamed Massachusetts School of Art.

1959

School is renamed Massachusetts College of Art.

1969

Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) is founded, one of the earliest interdisciplinary college art programs.

1983

School begins to occupy and renovate the eight-building campus at Huntington and Longwood Avenues.

2007

Governor signs legislation changing the college's official name to Massachusetts College of Art and Design; Master of Architecture program approved.

2016

The Design and Media Center, a three-story glass facade with 40,000 sq ft of new space, opens.

🏛️

153 Years

of Excellence

Leadership

Mary K. Grant

President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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