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Montserrat College of Art

Beverly, MA

private nonprofitbachelors

Quick Facts

“Where Creativity Works ®”

1970
Founded
Private art school
Type
374
Undergrad
$1M
Endowment
(2020)
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Brian Pellinen

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

About Montserrat College of Art

Montserrat College of Art: Where artistic passion meets professional practice since 1970.

Montserrat College of Art stands as a dynamic hub for visual arts education, embodying its powerful motto: "Where Creativity Works ®." As a private art school, Montserrat is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists, designers, and creative professionals, offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree designed to equip students with both artistic skill and professional acumen.

The college's rich history began in 1970, when it was established as Montserrat School of Visual Arts by the North Shore Community Arts Foundation. This civic organization laid the groundwork for a school that would quickly evolve. By the mid-1980s, the institution achieved accreditation as a college, authorized to award the prestigious Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and officially adopted its current name, Montserrat College of Art.

In 1992, Montserrat College of Art found its permanent home in the Hardie Building on Essex Street. This beautifully renovated nineteenth-century structure now serves as the vibrant campus center, providing an inspiring environment for students to learn and create. Under the leadership of President Brian Pellinen, the college continues its mission to provide a focused, hands-on education that prepares students for successful and impactful careers in the arts.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Established in 1970 by the North Shore Community Arts Foundation.
  • ✦Operates under the distinctive motto: "Where Creativity Works ®".
  • ✦A private art school exclusively focused on visual arts education.
  • ✦Authorized to award the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree since the mid-1980s.
  • ✦Campus center located in the historic Hardie Building, a renovated 19th-century structure.
  • ✦Led by current President Brian Pellinen.

Timeline

1970
Established as Montserrat School of Visual Arts by the North Shore Community Arts Foundation.
1980
Accredited as a college; authorized to award a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; changed name to Montserrat College of Art (mid-1980s).
1992
Moved to its present location on Essex Street in the Hardie Building.
2015
Explored a possible merger with Salem State University (early 2015).
2015
Merger proposal found not feasible and plan was dropped (mid-2015).
2018
Kurt T. Steinberg named the eighth president in school history.
🏛️
56 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Brian Pellinen
President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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