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How to Bid and Buy Art

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Bid High, Bid Often

MassArt is proud to support student scholarships and individual auction artists through our annual Auction events. Here’s how you can get involved, explore artwork, and make your next great acquisition.

Explore the Auction Artwork

The newest addition to your collection awaits! The MassArt Auction features around 350 works of art in a range of media from emerging to established artists, and thanks all those participating artists for your support!

There’s something for everyone featured in this year’s Auction—browse the full digital catalog on Bidsquare and mark your favorites. Many works include a “Buy Now!” feature so you can purchase instantly before bidding begins.

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Preview the Artwork In Person

April 4 – April 9, 2026
All Auction works (Live and Silent) will be on view by appointment at MassArt.

Viewing Times:
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00–6:00 PM
Monday & Thursday: 1:00–7:00 PM
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Make your Preview Appointment 

How to Bid

All bidders, whether attending the event or participating online, must register on Bidsquare to bid in the Live or Silent Auctions.

  1. Create your Bidsquare account
  2. Register for either Auction event (live or silent)
How to Register on Bidsquare

If you’ve bid in a previous MassArt Auction, your login should still work—double check ahead of time.

You only need to register once; registration will carry over to both Auction events.

 

  1. Register on Bidsquare before April 4
    If you’ve already registered for the Live Auction, no need to register again.
    Log in and browse the Silent Auction
  2. Place bids or use the “Buy Now!” button to make a direct purchase.
  3. On April 12 at 12:00 PM EST, bidding closes.
    The highest bid at that time wins each lot.

How it works

The Silent Auction is a timed, online-only event. Bids are anonymous and increase in set increments. You’ll receive an email if you’re outbid or in the lead. You can set a maximum bid, and Bidsquare will bid for you automatically up to that limit.

Available for all Silent Auction lots from April 4–April 10 at 12:00 PM EST.

Purchase instantly at 150% of the stated value.

Invoices must be paid by April 10 at 5:00 PM EST.

Unpaid works will be released back to bidding for the final day of the Auction.

Attend the Live Auction

Saturday, April 11, 2026
Location: Design and Media Center, MassArt
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Live Auction Program Begins: 8:00 PM EST
Auctioneer: Karen M. Keane, MassArt Trustee & Chairman Emerita, Bonhams Skinner

Purchase Tickets

If you can’t join us in person, stream the event live on Bidsquare and bid virtually in real time.

How to Participate in the Live Auction (Virtually)

  1. Register on Bidsquare before April 11
    If you already registered for the Silent Auction, you’re all set.
  2. Log in to your account and access the Live Auction at 8:00 PM EST
    Bids are placed in real time through the site.
    A remote clerk will enter your bid alongside in-person bidders.
  3. Optional: Place absentee bids starting April 4 at 12:00 PM EST.
    An absentee bid is a bid you place online in advance if you are unable to attend. An absentee bid can include a maximum bid for the lot. The clerk will bid on your behalf during the Live Auction up to your limit.

Paying for and Collecting Artwork

Thank you so much for again your support of MassArt students and our greater community of artists—congratulations to all who won and purchased artwork.

Keep an eye on your inboxes for an invoice from Bidsquare.

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.

Sales Tax

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.

 

Buyer’s Premium

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.

The Auction team works closely with our artwork transportation partner, Clark Fine Art Services, to provide an excellent experience for our buyers. Thank you in advance for your patience!

All artwork buyers will receive an email directly with an artwork collection form to fill out detailing the following artwork collection options:

  • Local Boston area pick up
  • Complimentary delivery in the Metro Boston, MA area*
  • Shipment of artwork at the expense of the purchaser during the weeks after the Auction

*Metro Boston, MA area includes the following: Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Everett, Lexington, Lincoln, Medford, Melrose, Needham, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, Stoneham, Sudbury, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Winchester, Woburn

Need Help?
Contact the MassArt Auction Team

Email: auction@massart.edu
Call: (617) 879-7014

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621 Huntington Ave,
Boston, MA 02115

(617) 879-7000

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