Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Did MassArt always cater to the starving artist? Hardly. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design, right here on Huntington Avenue, has a surprising origin story. Founded in 1873, it was created with a very practical purpose. Massachusetts needed skilled art teachers. The founders also aimed to equip workers for the booming industrial era. MassArt was specifically designed to train future art teachers and provide industrial design education. It’s actually the oldest art school in the US and the only publicly funded freestanding art school in the country. Imagine, in the late 19th century, industrialists petitioning the government to establish a school dedicated to free industrial drawing instruction. That vision laid the foundation for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design we see today. The college originally focused on training educators and industrial designers. Now, MassArt boasts a diverse student body. Nearly 2,000 undergraduates, almost 200 graduate students, and over 400 non-degree students fill its classrooms. They come from all walks of life and from around the globe. And the programs? They’ve expanded beyond the original focus. Today, MassArt offers majors in graphic design, painting, photography, sculpture, industrial design, and a host of other creative fields. The college has evolved significantly from its initial mission. It has become a vibrant hub for artists. It continues to nurture creative powerhouses who contribute to our economy and communities.