A timed auction is automated, and takes place exclusively online. The bidding for each lot is opened at a predetermined level at a set time and stays open over an extended period. A bidder’s identity is always kept confidential during the timed auction. In our 2025 timed auction, bidding will begin at noon EST on Monday, March 17, and sales for lots #100- #391 will close at 10:30 pm EST on Saturday, March 29, which represents the end of the auction.

We are happy to offer a “Buy Now!” feature for this year’s Auction!  The “Buy Now” option will be available for all Silent Auction lots during the timed online Silent Auction on Bidsquare, beginning on Monday, March 17 at noon EST via massartauction.org/bid.

The “Buy Now” option will be removed at noon EST on Friday, March 28 (the day before the close of the Silent Auction). During this time, any Silent Auction lot may be purchased outright by paying 150% of its stated value. Artwork may be purchased by clicking “Buy Now” on a selected lot on Bidsquare and remitting payment of the issued invoice immediately.

If payment is not received by Friday, March 28 at 5 pm EST, the buyer will lose claim of the artwork, and it will become available for bidding during the last 48 hours of the Silent Auction.

Step 1: Before March 17, create an account on Bidsquare (if you don’t have one already) and register for the 2025 MassArt Auction – Silent Auction via the registration instructions listed above. Note: If you registered for the Live Auction, you do not need to register separately for the Silent Auction.

Step 2: Log into your account and find the 2025 MassArt Auction – Silent Auction, starting at noon EST on March 17.

At any point during this period of open bidding, a bidder will be able to see the current high bid on each lot. 

If you would like to place a bid on a piece, you may place a higher bid than the listed starting bid or current high bid at a defined bidding increment. 

After placing a bid, bidders are automatically informed by email if they are the high bidder, or if they have been outbid by another competing bidder. 

If you’d prefer, you are able to set a maximum bid on any lot you are interested in. Once you’ve set a maximum bid, Bidsquare will continue to bid on that lot on your behalf up to that stated maximum amount. 

At any point during the Silent Auction before March 28 at noon EST, a bidder can click “Buy NOW!” and purchase a lot outright for 150% of value; Invoices for Buy Now purchases will be issued immediately and must be paid by Friday, March 28 at 5 pm EST or the buyer will lose claim of the artwork and it will become available for bidding during the last day of the Silent Auction.

Step 3: At the end of the defined bidding period, beginning at 10:30 pm EST on March 29, the lot is sold to the highest bid offered.

This year’s Live Auction will be hosted in real-time and held before an audience of bidders in-person at MassArt’s Design and Media Center and online on Bidsquare. Bidsquare’s platform will allow a bidder to remotely participate in the Live Auction virtually alongside bidders in the room. Bidders participating in the Live Auction online will have their bids automatically received by a clerk present at the Live Auction event, who will place their bid in real time. 

Step 1: Before March 29, create an account on Bidsquare and register for the
2025 MassArt Auction – Live Auction

Note: If you registered for the 2025 Silent Auction, you do not need to
register separately for the Live Auction.

Step 2: Log into your account and find the 2025 MassArt Auction – Live Auction starting at 8 pm EST on March 29.

The Auctioneer will begin with the starting bid for Lot 01

Bidders participating in the Live Virtual Auction can type their bids online through the webpage and will have their bids automatically received by a remote clerk, who will place your bid in real-time.

Bidding will continue until competition for the lot ends. If the highest bid
offered meets the minimum price designated by the seller as acceptable, the lot is sold.

The auctioneer will then move on to the next lot.

Bidders who are unable to attend the Live Auction can place absentee bids online starting Monday, March 17 at noon EST, which will be automatically processed by the auction clerk the night of the Live Auction.

All artwork purchases are subject to the Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax unless the
purchaser possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption number. Exemption
certificates from other states will be accepted if presented with a business card or on letterhead. Please contact the Fundraising Events team at auction@massart.edu with questions.

Credit cards on file will be automatically charged within 72 hours of the close of the Auction for all artwork purchases. If buyers would like to make alternative payment arrangements, please get in touch with the Auction team within 48 hours of the close of the Auction. All purchases are final and no exchanges or refunds will be allowed.

A buyer’s premium equal to 15% of the winning bid will be applied to each lot sold and will be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. This premium helps to offset the administrative costs of running the MassArt Auction in order to ensure the funds raised through artwork sales go directly to student scholarships and academic programming.

A buyer’s premium will not be applied to any pledge(s) made during the Live Auction Raise Your Paddle fundraising opportunity. Gifts made through Raise Your Paddle are outright donations and are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.