MassArt Graduate Gallery Expands Exhibition Strategies Beyond Campus

Located in Boston’s vibrant South of Washington arts district, MassArt x SoWa is a distinctive off-campus gallery dedicated to showcasing the work of Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) graduate students and alumni. In 2021, the MassArt grad program sought a new venue for its spring and summer MFA thesis exhibitions. Felicia Scott Flint, Director of MassArt x SoWa and alum of the MassArt MFA Studio Arts program, reflects on the gallery’s opening: “It felt bold to take a step outside of the campus, in the midst of a pandemic.” Initially a logistical solution, the gallery has become integral to the graduate programs’ culture. It functions as a hub for students to connect with other creatives and has driven significant curriculum changes, fostering curriculum in action, particularly in classes like Curatorial Practices, where students develop professional exhibitions featuring artists from within and beyond MassArt.

MassArt x SoWa has expanded to support student and alumni pathways in curation, arts programming, and art handling, highlighting how exhibition spaces can nurture creative communities. Catherine LeComte Lecce, a MassArt MFA Photo alum, shares her experience: “I worked as a gallery assistant while I was a student, which sparked my interest in a career in the field. A year after graduating, I curated my first exhibition there, leading to further opportunities, and ultimately to my current role as Director of Exhibitions at the Photographic Resource Center.”

Choosing an off-campus location has substantially benefited the MassArt graduate community. The gallery draws a diverse audience, including buyers, resulting in successful art sales. It offers graduating students vital exposure to professional art markets, while maintaining a balance between professionalism and experimentation. “Knowing that we can be malleable beyond a traditional white-box gallery space allows us to highlight the visions of our students and alumni,” explains Scott.

For those interested in pursuing their MFA, applications for Fall 2026 are now open at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). More information can be found at sowa.massart.edu.