Massachusetts College of Art and Design

I am so happy to be a MassArt Alumni because this was my first choice college that I’ve wanted to apply to when I was a Junior in High School. I decided to major in Fashion while I was in MassArt.
Speaking of Fashion Design, I will say that this major is one of the most competitive major to enroll into (along with Illustration and Graphic Design!), but it was totally worth all the all-​nighters, and all the stress and tears were totally worth it. The professors were very helpful and fair with their critiques and I am glad to have had this experience.
The Academic Resources Center is also good with keeping up with accommodations and setting up writing center meetings as long as you plan ahead of time and know exactly what classes you are taking.
I also went to the Counseling Services and felt like it helped me out more too. The cafeteria food is so-​so, but every now and then you will find at least a few decent items that you will enjoy.
Overall, very pleased with my experiences at MassArt. Though the first year was not what I expected because of the Studio Foundation requirements, and I’ve had to stay one more year because I withdrew from one of the required Fashion classes, I would not have it any other way.

This place got me addicted to painting and the history of architecture. It has taken over my coffee table and, in fact, my entire living room.

oh wow! i can’t believe i can found massart on Unilocal!
i graduated in 1996 and now running my own small design inc.
i love massart.
it was the best 4 years ever.
i studied graphic design. we had a great competitive feel going on, but it was a total friendly competition. we hang out after the design class on thursday night. drinking cheap wine. (yes, we all broke as a students)
and yes, really good faculty. they were all supportive and once a while, i go back to show students of my current works.

Mass Art offers a somewhat affordable art education. I’ve only taken part in the continuing ed division. I had one unforgettable teacher (G5), one mediocre teacher and one teacher I really didn’t like that I unfortunately see all over town!!! I was experimenting with the graphic design certificate program and I took 3 classes. I would recommend the program — I just decided it wasn’t the best idea for me (didn’t want to be tied to the computer all day). One last comment is that the graphic design program is a hell of a lot of work for only a certificate. I think they should make it a Master’s. Three years of consuming work for a certificate? On the up side — you do learn ALOT.

I am graduating.
and i cannot wait because i no longer want anything to do with Massart.
I am a graphic design student and i feel like i got a great education, but at some point, my teachers failed me out of the blue — with no real warning. The faculty definitely choose favorites and will sometimes not give you the time of day if you aren’t one of them. Art school is so subjective that i feel being wishy-​washy during reviews and important grading moments is unfair to students.
There is no housing guarantees — especially not after freshman year, which was scary at first, but i love my apartment, so no worries.
Health Services are minimal, go in for anything and you will either be told you are pregnant or that you have a cold and can have tylenol and cold medicine.
The Cafeteria is ok for the first two years, but i guess thats how it is anywhere. I get bored of the same café food and the staff could care less about you, and have even insulted me on occasion.
The great thing about Mass Art is that i have been able to explore. I took silkscreening, video, jewelry, photography, poster design, web design, and several art history classes.
I agree with other reviewers, it is cheap, and in a great location, but being state funded, they often put more money into recruiting than into the existing students. The website is a sham — only helpful when applying and then you have to dig forever to find faculty emails, phone numbers, anything helpful really.
Its a conundrum, with more money, MassArt could have more support for the student body, but would then, of course not be state funded and cheap. Classrooms are always cold — even in May and June, Printers ALWAYS run out of ink during crucial finals, abandoning students to fend for themselves when they need them most, and I didnt feel a very good connection or very supported at MassArt.
But hey, i guess now im more independant.
plus, im getting the hell out of there.

the good…
cheap. decent facilities/​studios, cheap, easy, cheap, convenient location, cheap, a solid degree (in the real art world), and cheap
The bad…
is there education here? can you make money with a BFA? this is one expensive craft camp!
my story…
I transferred here from Pratt in NYC. I transferred for several reasons of my own faults but came here with all intentions of completing My remaining 2 years. I was in the sculpture department in NY and then came up to be in the fibers department here. It was the biggest joke of all time. I seriously felt like I was at a crafts class at summer camp. did I go back to kindergarten after all the drugs I took in NY?! it was really surprising to me the lack of intelligence the teachers had. The lack of inspiration they had, the lack of motivation and innovation.
I did not like the limited hours of the studio facilities, or the program as a whole. I was going to switch, but after them making me jump through hoops I just quit. I know that unfortunately says a lot about my personality, but with one class left, and my continuous loss of creativeness, it’s something I had to do. I will say that the photo teachers were good, and the welding department was pretty nice as well. I have heard good things about the graphics and SIMS departments but really, most everyone I know who graduated there 10 years ago still has a non artistic job making a crap hourly wage at a crap job.

MassArt rocks! As the first reviewer mentioned already– it’s the only state college of art in the country. Public schools in general are important but the fact that MassArt is a public art school is amazing. It gives access to a great education for those that might not otherwise be able to afford art school (I was one of those people!) Yes, it is a bit tough to get into but the education you receive there is priceless. Tuition is cheap and the facilities and faculty are fantastic! The staff and faculty at MassArt fight hard not only for it’s survival but for it to really flourish and I’m glad to see it get stronger and stronger over the years– we need more places in this world like MassArt.