Through mutually beneficial partnerships that highlight the expertise of community members, students use art and design as vehicles to develop their creative and professional practices.
The Center for Art and Community Partnerships (CACP) fosters connections between MassArt faculty and community partners to co-create real-world projects that address community identified needs. These projects honor the wisdom of local community members as a core component of student learning. By prioritizing intentional collaboration with a focus on equity, CACP enriches the educational experience for all participants, resulting in positive community impacts.
It was an interesting assignment in that it got me to really think about the community I am a part of and how I can help to improve it.Elizabeth Swanson '16 BFA Graphic Design
MassArt students co-created portraits with Health Educators and Youth Community Organizers, local teen leaders from Sociedad Latina in Mission Hill. Community building activities; visits to Sociedad and MassArt studios and darkrooms; and portrait sessions resulted in exhibitions of portraits and high school student writing at MassArt, Sociedad Latina, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.Â
CACP staff co-designed and co-taught this course with Studio Foundation Professor Stephanie Cardon aimed at supporting students in envisioning and planning projects grounded in environmental justice issues.
CACP staff co-designed and co-taught this course with Studio Foundation Professor Stephanie Cardon aimed at supporting students in envisioning and planning projects grounded in environmental justice issues.
MassArt students designed street banners to promote local farmers markets at Brigham Circle and Roxbury Crossing.
MassArt Communication Design students collaborated with The Family Van, a mobile health initiative from Harvard Medical School that provides free health services and education in Boston. The students redesigned the vehicle’s exterior to better engage the community. Family Van staff provided guidance and feedback, while CACP’s sparc! the ArtMobile team helped gather community input through surveys. The new design led to a 300% increase in public engagement with the Family Van.
Local community artists or organizations interested in collaborating with us – please complete our Partnership Inquiry Form.
MassArt’s Center for Art and Community Partnerships (CACP) partners with people and communities within and beyond MassArt to radically expand access to transformative creative experiences.
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