community arts initiative artist project (2026-2027)

The Artist Project is a collaboration between an experienced artist, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and twelve after-school community organizations in the Boston area. 

The program is designed to engage children in the art-making process under the guidance of an experienced artist. Drawing inspiration from the MFA’s collection the selected artist plans and leads an art project with children between the ages of six and twelve. The final product is a collaborative work of art, reflecting the voices and ideas of participating children, and is exhibited in the Edward H. Linde Gallery (168) in the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art for up to six calendar months.

LEAD ARTIST INVOLVEMENT

The MFA provides a stipend of $50,000 to the selected artist and a budget of $5,000 for materials. The Lead Artist works with MFA staff and collections, and is recognized across all exhibition promotional materials including the MFA website. The Artist should be available for planning starting in July 2026 and art sessions with children starting in October 2026. All sessions must conclude by April 2027 as the exhibition grand opening is planned for May 2027. The Artist works with MFA staff to schedule four visits, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, with each of the twelve organizations. Visits typically take place between the hours of 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the MFA and community centers during after school hours. The Artist must be available all of the weekdays (M-F) that the MFA is open until 10:00 pm in order to accommodate group visits to the Museum. A minimum of two sessions per organization must be held in person. The role of the Lead Artist is to guide the children and choreograph the collaborative work of art into its final exhibited shape. 

Note that this position is affiliated with the United Auto Worker's Union.  

PARTICIPANTS

The MFA currently partners with twelve community organizations including Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, Sociedad Latina, United South End Settlements (USES), West End House Boys & Girls Club of Allston-Brighton, and Vine Street Community Center. Additionally, we are also proud to partner with six of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club, Gerald and Darlene Jordan Boys & Girls Club, Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, and the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury. The Artist meets with approximately 10-15 children per session. The participating children meet with the Artist after school during their scheduled visits.

PROGRAM SUPPORT

The MFA employs a Liaison for each of the community centers along with support from the Community Arts Initiative administrative staff in the Learning and Community Engagement division. MFA Liaisons are familiar with the Museum’s collections and assist the Lead Artist during each session at the Museum and community centers. Community center art directors are also available to assist during sessions. MFA staff from the curatorial, exhibitions, and facilities departments support the exhibition installation.

The Museum purchases all materials used in the project and assists in installation of completed project. All materials purchased are the property of the MFA.

The Museum does not provide housing or a dedicated Artist's studio space for this project.