Montserrat College of Art

Montserrat College of Art stands as a vibrant private art school, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative professionals. With its compelling motto, "Where Creativity Works ®," Montserrat offers a focused and immersive environment for students passionate about visual arts. It's a place where artistic talent is cultivated, refined, and prepared for real-world application, making it an ideal choice for aspiring artists and designers.

The college's rich history began in 1970, established as the Montserrat School of Visual Arts by the North Shore Community Arts Foundation. This civic organization, also managing the nearby North Shore Music Theatre, laid the groundwork for an institution deeply rooted in community and artistic excellence. Under the leadership of its first president, Joseph Jeswald, and managing director Stephen Slane, the school quickly grew, evolving from a visual arts school into a fully accredited college in the mid-1980s, authorized to award Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.

Montserrat College of Art found its permanent home in 1992 within the historic Hardie Building on Essex Street, a beautifully renovated nineteenth-century structure that now serves as the heart of its campus. Students at Montserrat benefit from a dedicated faculty and a curriculum designed to foster artistic skill and critical thinking, all within a close-knit creative community. While a proposed merger with Salem State University was explored in 2015, Montserrat continues its independent mission, currently guided by President Brian Pellinen, ensuring a unique and focused art education experience.