MassArt Celebrates 2025 Common Good Awards Honorees

The third annual MassArt Common Good Awards brought together artists, alumni, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the power of art and design.

A group of nine smiling people stand together indoors, some holding up metal awards, in front of a colorful Common Good Awards 2025 backdrop at MassArt. The group appears to be celebrating.

2025 MassArt Common Good Award honorees with MassArt President Mary K. Grant and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Photos by Melissa Ostrow.

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MassArt welcomed community members, alumni, partners, and supporters to campus on Saturday for the third annual Common Good Awards, an event that recognizes artists, designers, and leaders who use their creative practices to strengthen communities and advance the public good.

This year’s ceremony honored Kris Moran (BFA ’89 Painting), Sarah Richards (BFA ’96 Art Education and Photography), Tracy Silva Barbosa (BFA ’99 Glass), Kate Gilbert, Lisa Simmons and Alison Simmons, and Marquis Victor. Their impact ranges from transforming public spaces and uplifting young people to advancing filmmaking, imaginative set design, and fostering community engagement. Each is a champion of power of the arts in civic life.

A diverse group of people sit in the front row at a MassArt event, smiling and laughing. Three women and one man, dressed in business or smart-casual attire, enjoy the 2025 Common Good Awards moment together.

A group of people sit closely together in rows at an indoor MassArt event, attentively watching something off-camera. The front-row individuals appear engaged and content, including one woman smiling and wearing glasses and a yellow scarf—possibly one of the 2025 Common Good Awards honorees.

A diverse group of adults sit closely together in rows of chairs at MassArt, smiling and laughing while watching the Common Good Awards event indoors. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll delivered the program’s opening remarks, reflecting on the essential role of higher education and the arts in Massachusetts. Her presence and support set an inspiring tone for the afternoon.

The ceremony featured personal stories from each honoree through moving tribute videos, offering insight into their creative journeys and the communities they serve. Attendees shared moments of celebration, reflection, and even joyful tears as we saw the impact created by this year’s honorees.

Three adults stand closely together smiling at the camera—two women and a man, appearing happy and relaxed in a well-lit, modern indoor space—celebrating as 2025 honorees of the MassArt Common Good Awards.

A close-up of a delicate metal sculpture resembling a small branch with oak leaves, mounted on a round metallic base against a dark background, showcases one of the 2025 MassArt Common Good Awards. Other similar sculptures are blurred in the background.

The 2024 awards were designed by Alison Layton (BFA ’06 Jewelry & Metalsmithing), whose work added a personal and artistic touch to the celebration.

The Common Good Awards reflect MassArt’s mission to prepare artists, designers, and educators to enrich communities and the public spaces we share. This year’s honorees exemplify how the arts, culture, and design can inspire change and create lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible, and to all who joined us in honoring these remarkable changemakers.