Programs

Artward Bound

A unique, college preparation program for high school students who are passionate about art, and interested in pursuing an art and design education.

Artward Bound is a free, four-year college prep program for Boston high school students interested in a college education focused on art and design. Students participate in art classes, career workshops, academic tutoring, visits to museums and artist studios, and more. Each summer, Artward Bound students are immersed in six weeks of artmaking and academics on MassArt’s campus.

Gaby Moreno, '25 BFA Painting, Artward Bound Self-Portrait, Painting, 2021

Kai Buffonge, Artward Bound, Illustration Untitled, Illustration, 2021

Wendy Norman, Artward Bound Rubus Idaeus, Fibers, 2020

Our curriculum, which touches on many visual art disciplines, encourages students to explore and develop new skills. Over the course of the program, Artward Bound students also think about how creative expression and artmaking can have a positive impact on their lives, families, and communities.

Artward Bound is geared toward students with financial need and a lack of access to arts and creative programming. We support students through creative and academic tutoring, as well as providing MBTA passes for traveling to and from the MassArt campus. Students in good standing are eligible for financial stipends and can earn college credit after completing a full year with Artward Bound.

Artwardbound students by the numbers

100%

Graduate High School

96%

Enroll in college

61%

Study art and design in college

Apply to Artward Bound

Artward Bound is accepting applications on a rolling basis until June for current 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students to begin in the summer of 2024!

First, ensure that you qualify. To apply to Artward Bound, you must:

Live in Boston or within commuting distance
Be a current 8th, 9th, or 10th grade student
Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Boston
Be able and willing to commit fully to the Artward Bound program schedule during the school year and summer, for up to four years

Students attending Boston Public Schools (except Boston Arts Academy and Boston Latin School) are given top priority for admissions into Artward Bound. Secondary priority is given to other students residing in the City of Boston (including those attending Boston Arts Academy and Boston Latin School).

Online Application
Essay – Write a half-page essay, approximately 250 words, explaining why you want to participate in Artward Bound and what you hope to learn from the experience. You can also write about the kind of art you enjoy making, your goals for after graduating high school, how your identities have impacted your interest in the arts, or anything else that helps us get to know you.
Two drawings – Choose two from the following drawing prompts:
- Create a drawing that fills the entire paper
- Create a drawing of an object that is important to you
- Draw an originally created character
Academic transcript – Please ask your guidance counselor or principal for a complete academic transcript that lists your current and past courses and grades.
Letter of recommendation – Ask someone who knows you as a student — a teacher, coach, pastor/minister or youth leader — to write you a letter of recommendation. Please note, we do not accept recommendation letters from family members.

Apply Now

Have questions about the application process?

Please contact:

Greg Linse Learning Coordinator, Artward Bound

Gaby Moreno ‘25 BFA Painting, working in her studio.

From First-Gen to Aspiring Art Therapist
Gaby Moreno '25 BFA Painting

View story

Give to Artward Bound

We depend on donor support to make Artward Bound a reality for promising Boston high school students. When you support us with a gift of any amount, you provide Boston youth with meaningful opportunities for creative growth. Here are just some of the ways that donor support helps make Artward Bound a reality for deserving students::