During Commencement each year the college confers the Distinguished Alumni Award on a graduate of the college who displays at least three of the following qualifications:
- An arts activist or philanthropist;
- An innovator in her/his field;
- A leader in her/his field such that the candidate is considered outstanding among her/his peers;
- Supportive of the college through volunteer efforts;
- Supportive of the college through financial support.
The recipient may be nominated by any member of the MassArt Community and is approved by the Alumni Leadership Council.
| Year |
Alumna/us |
Major |
Year |
2007 |
Arne Glimcher |
Painting |
’60 |
2006 |
Christian Marclay |
SIM |
’80 |
2004 |
Brian Collins |
Graphic Design |
'82 |
2003 |
Albert Petitito |
Art Education |
'44 |
2001 |
Ellen Rothenberg |
Media and Performing Arts |
'78 |
2000 |
Robert Purcell |
Industrial Design |
'77 |
2000 |
Beverly Hallam |
Art Education |
'45 |
1999 |
Paul Goodnight |
Painting |
'75 |
1998 |
Priscilla and Ed Marritt |
3D |
'34 |
1997 |
May Stevens |
Painting |
'46 |
1996 |
Jackie Winsor |
Sculptor |
'65 |
1995 |
Nancy Haigh |
Film Set Decoration (Ceramics) |
'68 |
1994 |
William Daley |
Ceramics |
'50 |
1993 |
David Rose |
Illustrator (Painting/Art Education) |
'31/'34 |
1992 |
Jean Day Zallinger |
Illustrator (Drawing and Painting) |
'39 |
1991 |
Robert Cumming |
Painting/Photography (Painting) |
'65 |
1990 |
Americo DiFranza |
Drawing Painting |
'42 |
|
L. Garth Huxtable |
Industrial Design (Presented to Ada Louise) |
'33 |
1989 |
William Hannon |
Industrial Design |
'56 |
1988 |
William Gunn |
Graphic Design (Drawing and Painting) |
'45 |
|
Ruth Johnston Surdez |
Art Education |
'28 |
1987 |
William Wegman |
Painting/Photography (Painting) |
'65 |
1986 |
John McNamara |
Painting |
'71 |
|
Paul Marks |
Art Education |
'75 |
1985 |
Marilyn Pappas |
2D Fine Arts (Art Education) |
'52 |
1983 |
Muriel Cooper |
Graphic Design (Art Education) |
'48 |
1979 |
Sylvia Feinburg |
Art Education |
'79 |