Massachusetts College of Art and Design Welcomes Valentine Talland to Board of Trustees

BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is pleased to announce the appointment of Valentine Talland to its Board of Trustees.

A longtime supporter of MassArt, Talland has served on the MassArt Foundation Board since 2014, including as Chair. Her appointment strengthens the Board’s commitment to advancing MassArt’s mission as the nation’s only independent public college of art and design. Talland brings decades of leadership in arts conservation, arts advocacy, and nonprofit governance to the College.

“Valentine’s deep commitment to artists, arts education, and cultural institutions makes her an exceptional addition to our Board of Trustees,” said MassArt President Mary K. Grant. “Her extensive experience supporting creative communities, coupled with her Foundation Board leadership at MassArt, will be invaluable as we continue to advance the College’s mission and impact.”

Talland is an art conservator and consultant whose private practice serves museums, universities, libraries, private collectors, and artists throughout New England and New York. Through her practice, she advises cultural institutions and artists on the conservation, exhibition, and long-term stewardship of works of art and historic objects. Prior to establishing her consultancy, Talland served for 27 years as Senior Objects Conservator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. As a member of the museum’s leadership team, she oversaw major conservation projects, contributed to collection stewardship initiatives, supported capital projects, and helped mentor the next generation of museum professionals.

In addition to her conservation work, Talland has been a dedicated advocate for artists and arts organizations throughout the region. In 2020, she co-founded Movement Arts Creation Studio (MACS), a nonprofit organization that supports dance, circus, and physical theater artists in Greater Boston. Through grants, affordable studio space initiatives, and youth programming, MACS has expanded opportunities for movement artists and emerging creative talent.

Talland has held leadership and advisory roles with numerous arts organizations, including Boston Dance Theater, New England Center for Circus Arts, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, and the Trustees of Reservations’ Art Advisory Committee for deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.

“Valentine brings a strong record of service to MassArt and a deep dedication to the arts community in Boston, across the Commonwealth, and beyond,” said Daren Bascome, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are delighted to welcome her to the Board and look forward to her continued leadership at MassArt.”

She succeeds former Board Chair Karen Keane, who reached the maximum ten years of service on the Board of Trustees.

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