State of the Art

While the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts formally merged in 2016, the art collaborations between the two run back over half a century. Now, the fusion of the two fosters an environment where Tufts students can not only explore an extensive collection of historic pieces and artifacts, but also learn about Tufts’ many communities—its people, its values, its stories—by immersing themselves in their art. BY VALERIA VELASQUEZ ’23

Boxed Art Gallery: As the pandemic dampened opportunities for artists and heightened the barrier of entry into the art world, Ned Carlson ’23 (a combined degree SMFA student majoring in architecture, environmental science, and fine arts), created Boxed Art Gallery, an online space dedicated to showcasing Tufts students’ artwork. In the spring of 2021, a Boxed Art Gallery contest featured the top three winners on the website and granted monetary prizes. It has now expanded to include members of the Greater Boston community. Alongside its goal of increasing exposure of underrepresented artists, Boxed Art Gallery emphasizes the power wielded when racial and socioeconomic injustice and other important issues are highlighted in art. By presenting student and local artist works, the Boxed Art Gallery feels organic, familiar, intimate, and wields an impressive magnetism that keeps you scrolling.

Tufts University Art Galleries: The Tufts University Art Galleries, headquartered on the Medford and Fenway campuses, are heavily focused on contemporary topics and work and provide a dynamic space for artists, students, and intellectuals alike. The Galleries host a variety of programs and community-based initiatives like the Artist Response initiative, a display of projects responding to social crisis in dialogue, and the Visiting Artist Program, where renowned artists are invited to host lectures free to the public and meet with students. Exhibitions in these galleries make audiences ponder and reflect, display intricate student projects, and highlight community-based topics and experiences. Go in to discover what Tufts students and our community cares about, what they are inspired by, and the fruits of their labor.

Tufts University Permanent Collection: When exploring the Tufts University Permanent Collection, you’ll find Chan Chan Earplugs from the pre-Hispanic period, a pair of intricate earrings from Imperial Rome, and various paintings that depict the transformation of Tufts University. Containing approximately 2,400 works, the Tufts University Permanent Collection will engulf you in both the present and the past. It contains a broad collection of more than 200 antiquities that hail from the ancient Mediterranean and Americas, the Near East, and South Asia. Now, it is predominantly focused on 20th and 21stcentury works of art and highlighting the work of alumni artists. Explore the collection to appreciate and revere the artistry and histories of many cultures and peoples, all from the Hill!