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During the commencement ceremony, a graduate in cap and gown receives a diploma on stage. Nearby, two faculty members and another graduate in green attire share the moment. The scene is adorned with a large arrangement of blue and white flowers.
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MassArt is excited to celebrate the Class of 2025!

Thursday, May 22, 2025
12:30pm (Doors will open at 11:45am)
Leader Bank Pavilion 290 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

*All graduating students must arrive by 11am for line-up.

Tickets will be required for all guests & there is no guest limit.

Reserve Your Tickets Now
Weather Alert

Out of care for the safety and well-being of our graduates, guests, and community members—and in light of the updated weather forecast for tomorrow—we are adjusting the start time of MassArt’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

The ceremony will now begin at 12:30pm sharp, 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled. This adjustment will help us complete the celebration before the heaviest weather is expected and reflects our deep commitment to giving our students the special moment they’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Graduating students should arrive by 11:00am, in their robes and ready for lineup and seating.
General Admission gates will open at 11:45am.

Livestream

MassArt’s 2025 Commencement will be live streamed on Thursday, May 22, 2025 beginning at 12:30pm.

Candidate Information

Learn about the important steps you need to take before you can graduate.
Guest Information

Learn more about the venue, lodging, and transportation.
Commencement FAQs

View answers to our frequently asked questions.
Commencement Tickets

Tickets will be required for all guests & there is no guest limit.

Information for Guests

MassArt’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony will now be held at 12:30pm on Thursday, May 22 (30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled) at the Leader Bank Pavilion, a beautiful open-air venue on Boston’s Seaport waterfront.

General admission gates will now open at 11:45am.

Tickets are required for all guests, but there’s no guest limit, and tickets are completely free. 

Reserve Your Tickets Now

We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with the graduates, their loved ones, and the MassArt community.

At this time, the forecast for May 22 calls for periods of rain, wind, and cooler temperatures. While we will continue to monitor conditions closely, the ceremony will proceed as planned at the Pavilion. The venue is fully covered overhead, but the sides are open to the elements.

We encourage all guests to dress in warm layers and weather-appropriate attire. To stay dry and comfortable, we recommend choosing seats toward the center of the amphitheater and away from the perimeter. With 5,000 seats and an expected attendance of approximately 3,500, there will be ample room to adjust seating as needed.

The Pavilion is a professional performing arts venue operated by Live Nation, with a dedicated meteorologist providing real-time weather monitoring and location-specific guidance. Should changes be necessary due to weather, MassArt will coordinate closely with venue staff to ensure the safety of all attendees.

Please check this webpage for additional updates and visit the LeaderBank Pavilion’s website for more information.

Venue Information

ENTRY & SECURITY

  • Guests should be prepared for bag checks and metal detectors
  • We recommend arriving early and bringing minimal belongings

As a reminder, the Pavilion does not allow banners, flags, or anything that will obstruct sightlines into the venue. To help the event run smoothly, we ask that you and your guests review the Pavilion Guidelines and “Know Before You Go” FAQ in advance of our ceremony.

BAG POLICY

  • Clear bags only (12″ x 6″ x 12″ max size)
  • Clutch bags up to 6″ x 9″ (do not need to be clear)
  • Diaper bags are allowed but subject to search
  • Stroller parking will be available

Transportation

Lodging

 

Four professionally photographed individuals appear in a collage with a blue abstract line design, capturing the essence of a commencement ceremony. Three men and one woman, all dressed formally, smile warmly at the camera. The word MASSART is elegantly placed in the bottom right corner.

Top Row L-R: 2025 MassArt Commencement Speaker, Brian Collins and Honorary Degree Recipient, Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. Bottom Row L-R: Honorary Degree Recipient, Hank Willis Thomas and Godine Award Recipient, Peter Nessen.

Honoring Creative Visionaries

This year’s ceremony will feature an inspiring address from Brian Collins (MassArt alumnus and co-founder of the globally acclaimed design firm COLLINS), who will also receive an honorary degree. A trailblazer in branding and innovation, Collins has led creative work for Spotify, Disney, Nike, and more, and has been a driving force in making design a catalyst for business and social transformation.

We are also honored to award honorary degrees to:

Hank Willis Thomas, internationally renowned conceptual artist and creator of The Embrace monument on Boston Common, whose work centers themes of identity, history, and civic engagement.

Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, cultural policy leader and former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, recognized for her decades of work advancing the arts as essential to community health and equity.

The Morton R. Godine Medal will be presented to Peter Nessen, a longtime public servant and MassArt Trustee whose career reflects an enduring commitment to education, the arts, and public service.

Read Press Release

Commencement FAQs

Yes. As of last May, the ceremony venue has recommended that the College institute a ticketed system to bring our event into alignment with other events at the venue, including college Commencements. We have accepted that recommendation. Graduating students do not need a ticket. However, all of your guests will be asked to show a ticket to the ceremony when they arrive.

There is no limit to the number of tickets or the number of guests each graduate may bring. The event is General Admission, meaning that there are no assigned seats and there is no cost to attend the event. Tickets may be scanned from a mobile device, or printed and brought to the venue.

Commencement will continue in the case of bad weather. The Leader Bank Pavilion may cancel or alter events if severe weather is expected. Please check the venue’s social media for updates on event status.

For more information please take a look at the venue guidelines.

There is no limit to the number of friends and family you wish to invite – just be sure that all guests have their own ticket in hand.

Our ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours, and will end by 3:00pm. We encourage you not to make any plans until after 4:00pm to allow time for photos and for all guests to exit the venue.

No. You do not need to let us know that you’re coming, or if you don’t plan to attend. We have your name on our list, so just show up and check in!

All candidates are encouraged, but not required, to wear cap and gown at Commencement. If you choose not to wear a gown, that’s OK, too! However, please note that full face coverings (e.g. costume masks) or other clothing that completely obscures your face are prohibited. Medical/surgical masks are allowed.

As little as possible. There is no secure storage available at the Pavilion, and anything you bring with you must be carried at all times. Items that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to: weapons of any kind (real or replica), alcohol, illegal drugs/substances, glass containers, cans, hard sided/large coolers, large or oversized bags/back-packs, laser pointers, animals (except service animals) and fireworks. A full list of venue guidelines can be found here.

Over the summer. Diplomas are not given out on stage because final grades are not submitted until the end of May. You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office in early June confirming your graduation, as well as where you would like it shipped – keep an eye on your inbox!

Please email us at commencement@massart.edu, we are more than happy to help.

Celebrate From Anywhere

Can’t attend in person? No problem! 

The ceremony will be live-streamed right here at massart.edu/commencement on the day of the event so friends and family near and far can celebrate the Class of 2025 together.

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Boston, MA 02115

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