Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt and/or the College) may issue official statements on issues that directly impact our campus or on matters of local, national, or global concern.

An official statement is any message on behalf of the College that is distributed, disseminated, posted online or otherwise shared via mass distribution to the campus community and/or the public pertaining to campus, local, regional, national, or global events, activities or issues. 

In most cases, an official statement will come from the President and/or an appointed designee by the President. In deciding when to issue an official statement, we prioritize our core mission and values. As an institution of learning, we are also guided by our commitment to curiosity, humility, and the art of listening. 

Guiding Principles

In deciding whether to issue an official statement, College leaders may consider the following questions: 

• Does the issue directly affect our campus community and/or our ability to carry out core teaching and learning functions?
• Is the issue directly related to MassArt’s mission and values?
• Does MassArt have expertise on the issue? 
• Does MassArt’s voice have the potential to affect change?
• As a publicly funded institution, is this an issue/concern that our public status limits our ability to comment about or react to ?

This guide is not meant to be exhaustive. Moreover, there may be dynamics and considerations that emerge over time which impact the College’s decision to issue or refrain from issuing an official statement. Official statements are merely one tool the College has to convey important messages. The President and other senior administrators regularly communicate with our campus community through a variety of formal and informal channels. 

MassArt Mission and Values

At MassArt, we believe in the power of creativity and self-expression to drive meaningful change, both in our local community and beyond.

Our mission as a public, independent institution is to prepare artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good.

Our values:

• We pursue a just, compassionate, and equitable learning environment
• We cultivate rigorous creative practices by observing, questioning, making and remaking
• We honor courage, honesty, mutual respect, and self-expression
• We believe in the power of art and design to transform our world