School of the Museum of Fine Arts

At the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University you’ll find a challenging learning environment supported by a strong faculty mentorship program, within a community that intermingles across years and disciplines. The fully self-directed course of study frees students from the traditional constraints of a major and the narrow focus of a single medium, empowering them to set ambitious goals for themselves through out-of-the-box thinking, powerful public-facing work, and a trailblazing attitude towards careers of the future.

SMFA’s academic offerings are grounded in interdisciplinary practice. Our students are encouraged to explore across mediums, without limits.

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University is a small art school with a rich history and a unique interdisciplinary approach that inspires students to define their own practices. Students here are artistically talented and intellectually curious – encouraged to explore their passions and challenged to express their ideas through art-making.

SMFA at Tufts has a history of cultivating intellectual, interdisciplinary, and self-directed artists from across the world. The development of a contemporary art practice is not rooted in any one location, and embraces both traditional and current influences, techniques that span eras, and an understanding of art history from both past and present. For these reasons, we value the diversity of experiences and interests that international students bring to our community.

In addition, Tufts supports all international students during their transition to campus through resources such as our Undergraduate Global Orientation, and the Tufts International Center, which assists international students with the I-20 process, raises intercultural awareness, and advocates a campus climate that respects and values cultural differences.

For undergraduate students, Tufts University is proud to meet 100% of the full demonstrated need of all admitted students, for their entire Tufts career. Each year, Tufts awards more than $86 million in need-based financial aid. We are serious about making sure that all admitted students can afford a Tufts education.

All of our financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need; for international students, this is determined through the analysis of family resources on the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. If enrolling at Tufts, international students are also required to submit the International Student Certification of Finances document to the International Center.

Students must indicate their plans to apply for financial aid when they apply for admission, as assistance is not available to students who do not receive aid upon admittance. We offer generous merit-based scholarships for high achieving graduate student applicants. Other scholarships, grants (including the Montague Travel Grant), and Teaching Assistantships are available for enrolled students. In addition, graduates of the MFA program are eligible for our Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship and graduates of all SMFA at Tufts programs are eligible for the Traveling Fellowship, which supports the exploration and research that are critical in an artist’s career.

Continuing Education classes and workshops at SMFA are designed for people at the beginning, middle, or advanced stages of their artistic exploration. We encourage the diversity of artistic and professional experiences of the students in our program. Whether your goal is immersive art-making, professional or portfolio development, learning a new welding technique, or designing jewelry for a 3-D printer, come join our community.

Student life at SMFA at Tufts is centered around the thriving center of arts, history, and innovation that is the city of Boston. Located on the Avenue of the Arts between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum, SMFA at Tufts is surrounded by a flourishing community of students and art-world professionals.

Boston is a walkable city with a large bike culture and a robust public transportation system. You’ll have easy access to art openings, live music, restaurants, nightclubs, symphonies, theater, sports, coffeehouses, or an escape to the beaches and mountains right outside of the city limits.

Student life at SMFA at Tufts is complemented by services, resources, and support systems, many of which are handled by the Office of Student Affairs. Our staff is available to counsel students on a variety of matters pertaining to student life and personal matters.

In particular, Student Affairs seeks to enrich your educational experience outside of the classroom. We provide a range of co-curricular programs, services, and opportunities meant to promote artistic, personal, and professional development.

Whether you’re having a coffee in the atrium between classes, making work in the animation studio, looking for next steps to further your practice, or attending the opening of an exhibit, you’ll be surrounded by people who know your name.

Hosting more than 80 colleges and universities with more than 250,000 students, Boston is a great place to attend school—especially art school. Boston is consistently ranked as one of the most creative cities in the country, an international center of education, and a world leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. Our city is truly a hub of culture and learning, offering countless opportunities for collaboration, investigation, and fun! As well as having Boston at their doorstep, all SMFA at Tufts students benefit from access to two distinct campuses. Our Fenway campus is home to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts studios, classrooms, and workshops.