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For nearly 150 years, SMFA has been on the cutting edge of art education – pushing boundaries, creating new ways of thinking and making, and educating the creative voices of the next generation. Providing BFA, Combined Degree (BFA + BA or BFA + BS), Post-Baccalaureate, and MFA Degrees, SMFA at Tufts incorporates an innovative visual arts education in a student-centered research university.

Ensuring that all perspectives and lived experiences have an opportunity to find their voice, SMFA at Tufts is committed to the idea that visual arts education impacts both emerging contemporary art as well as influencing disciplines from engineering and health care to social justice and civic engagement.

Your support ensures that SMFA’s diverse array of student voices and talented faculty have access to resources that deepen creativity and encourage new ways of thinking.

Give to SMFA at Tufts

Here is where your support can make an impact:

SMFA Materials Fund

With a diverse range of students from many backgrounds, the SMFA Materials Fund ensures equitable access to materials that ensure a full exploration of the curriculum and artistic practices. Students submit a request for materials funds that is approved by a faculty committee.  

In addition to providing all students with opportunities to utilize many types of materials (from photography supplies to metals and from specialized paints and printing paper to emerging materials), the SMFA Materials Fund provides SMFA Faculty with the flexibility to craft a thought provoking and practice-stretching curriculum that isn’t restricted by a student's lack of access to materials.  

Support of the SMFA Materials Fund increases equity as well as academic rigor – providing opportunities for students to stretch and grow their knowledge, skills, and artistic practice.

Internships, Workshops & Research Opportunities

Internships, workshops, and research opportunities are critical resources for developing undergraduate and graduate artists to expand their expertise and network. In addition to exploring new ideas and materials, students gain access to experts who elevate their practice and knowledge.

Access to these resources keeps SMFA at the forefront of university-based art schools and provides unique opportunities for students to gain important skills to support their continued growth following graduation. Providing students who compete for these opportunities with the resources to travel and participate ensures that students from all backgrounds have equitable access to professional development.  

Providing key opportunities to learn and connect with others who can guide them on their future career path, support for internships, workshops and research opportunities stretches the boundaries of our students’ learning and development for their future.  

Dean's Discretionary Fund

The Dean’s Discretionary Fund supports the Dean’s flexibility to provide student prizes and awards, respond to unexpected facilities and curriculum needs, strengthen community ties, and leverage unexpected opportunities. In addition, support of this fund allows the Dean to invest in planning for the future of the school.

Last year, support of the Dean’s Discretionary Fund provided important flexibility to gather key members of the community together for the beginning of SMFA at Tufts’ strategic planning process, awarded key prizes to students in recognition of exemplary work, refreshed wayfinding and signage celebrating the creativity of our community and laid the groundwork for critical community building and communication planning for the upcoming 150th Anniversary in 2026.  

Financial Aid 

With over 630 undergraduates, SMFA at Tufts has students from all backgrounds and lived experiences. This would not be possible without support for Financial Aid. In a creative community it is critical to have a diverse group to increase knowledge of your own perspective and to better understand the perspectives of others. SMFA at Tufts meets the full demonstrated financial need of each student who is awarded financial aid.  

Creating opportunities and elevating differing perspectives, support for Financial Aid makes SMFA one of the most diverse visual arts programs in the country.  

Area of Greatest Need 

Running a school for visual arts has many costs – from faculty salaries and facilities to sustainability initiatives and exploring new curricula. With 89% of the annual budget coming from tuition, your gift to SMFA at Tufts is a critical investment in the school.  

Unrestricted support from alumni, parents, and donors provides SMFA with the ability to respond to needs as they arise and to invest in the future of emerging creative minds.  

Give to SMFA at Tufts

Tristan Larjarrige, MFA ’23: Skateboard photographer meets performative photography

Maddy Noah, BFA + BA ’24: Pushing art through meaningful exploration of other mediums

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