The Art Institute of Boston
at Lesley University
700 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2598
(617) 262-1223 or
(800) 773-04940
FAX: (617) 437-1226
http://www.aiboston.edu
ENROLLMENT
Undergraduates:
Full-time:
men 198/women 180
Part-time:
men 19/women 50
Graduate School:
N/A
FRESHMAN ADMISSION
PROFILE
Number who applied:
580
Number accepted:
466
Number enrolled:
111
Average SAT scores:
V 491 M 464
Average ACT score:
N/A
Average GPA:
N/A
Freshman retention rate:
61%
COSTS:
Tuition:
$20,800
Room and Board:
$11,500
Fees, books, misc.:
$1,970 (approx.)
FINANCIAL AID:
Freshmen receiving aid:
62%
Average financial aid package:
$4,787
FACULTY:
Full-time:
21
Part-time:
53
Ph.D.:
11
Student-faculty ratio:
13:1
IN ADDITION
The Art Institute of Boston is a close-knit community of artists working in a nurturing environment of artistic expression. AIB's goal is to empower students with the artistic knowledge and skills to enable them to become leading arts professionals. To achieve this, courses and programs focus on preparing students to succeed in the real world by combining their artistic talents with marketable job skills. Faculty are experienced art educators who are also successful professionals in their field. The college's intimate atmosphere encourages one-on-one interaction between students and faculty. Exhibitions include artist talks, and AIB brings prominent artists to Boston to lecture throughout the academic year. Professionals from the Boston business and artist community regularly lecture and critique at the college. AIB's city-center location allows students to easily utilize Boston's resources, and to join in activities designed for the 250,000 students who live in Boston.
Prominent Alumni:
Caroll Spinney, creator of Big Bird
Darla Villani, dancer and choreographer
Most popular major:
Design
The Art Institute of Boston
at Lesley University
700 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2598
AIB animation/illustration students discuss their
work with a representative from Disney Studios.
College Description
Founded in 1912, The Art Institute of Boston is a private, four-year college of art offering the bachelor of fine arts degree, 3-year diploma, and 2-year certificate. Small and career-oriented, AIB offers a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio and a balanced, flexible curriculum designed to nurture creativity and to produce graduates who are prepared for professional work in today's world. Studio courses are taught by practicing, professional artists, who are very accessible to students. AIB's student body includes traditional, transfer and returning students, and international students from twenty different countries. AIB has BFA program accreditation with NASAD and is a recognized candidate for regional accreditation by New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The campus is in an urban area of Boston, within walking distance of galleries and major museums. AIB's full exhibition schedule gives students the opportunity to hang major shows and meet outstanding contemporary artists.
Academic Life
The Art Institute of Boston awards BFA degrees in design, fine arts, illustration, and photography. Combined programs are offered in illustration/fine arts and design/illustration. The college has a three semester system and offers full-time, part-time, and non-matriculating studies in the day, summer, and evening. Students with any baccalaureate degree are eligible for the 2-year Advanced Professional Certificate program in design or illustration. The 3-year diploma has few liberal arts requirements, and closely follows the BFA studio program.
AIB has an outstanding foundation program, designed and chaired by author and nationally recognized art educator, Nathan Goldstein. Photography students have a separate, specialized foundation program. AIB's curriculum allows students to self-design their area of focus or pursue an interdisciplinary approach. Programs are studio-intensive and career-oriented, and accelerated degree programs are offered in all majors.
Students intern at area design and animation studios, advertising agencies, and galleries, and concentrate studies in book illustration, animation, advertising, printmaking, or photojournalism, among others. AIB offers cross-registration with the Boston Architectural Center, Berklee College of Music, and Pine Manor College. There are study abroad programs in Italy, Ireland, and France.
Campus Life
AIB has exhibition exchanges, student exhibits on and off campus, a visiting artist and lecture program, and workshops. Recent exhibitors include Chuck Close and Edward Sorel; guest lecturers include Luis Gonzalez Palma, Kinuko Craft, Pedro Meyer, and Alan Cober. There are 5 groups on campus, including literary, ethnic, gay and international. Students may petition the dean to form an organization, which if approved can receive financial support. Campus events include parties arranged by peer advisors and an annual senior party and cruise. AIB students gain free entry to the Museum of Fine Arts, and there are regular, chartered bus trips to New York galleries and museums. The AIB dormitory provides coed housing for 50 students during the academic year in Boston's historic Back Bay, located within walking distance of the college.
Facilities and Resources
The campus includes two buildings within a short walking distance of each other. Year-round exhibitions are held in the main gallery, and several galleries and exhibition spaces are available for students. Fine Arts seniors have their own studios. AIB has etching and lithography presses; state-of-the-art darkrooms, print processors and digital equipment; fully equipped metal and wood shops; painting and drawing studios; and a clay lab with kilns. The library contains 9,000 volumes, and an extensive collection of art related periodicals, slides, and videotapes. AIB is a member of the Boston Regional Library System, and students have borrowing privileges at Suffolk University's library.
Students have access to up-to-date computer facilities and scanners, and software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Fractal Design Painter, Macromedia Director, and Strata Studio.
The campus is fully accessible to disabled students. Class schedules can accommodate special needs. Tutoring, counseling, and remedial reading and writing is available, and there is a special intensive tutoring program for at-risk students. Peer advisors provide a personal resource for freshmen, and all students have faculty advisors throughout their college experience.
Financial Aid
AIB is committed to providing an excellent education in the arts at a reasonable cost. There are seventeen types of AIB scholarships and grants, including one full tuition scholarship, in addition to state and federal. Merit Scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 are awarded to incoming students without a degree based on artistic, academic, and personal achievement. Portfolio Scholarships for enrolled students award $500 to $5,550. To be considered for financial aid, accepted applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE form, and the AIB financial aid application, and submit financial aid transcripts and copies of federal tax returns. The priority deadline is March 12 for Fall admission and November 12 for Spring admission.
Admission Requirements
AIB seeks evidence of special talent, academic achievement and commitment to an arts education in students' application package. While advanced placement, honors courses, and leadership records are important, AIB emphasizes an outstanding portfolio. A portfolio review is required of all applicants. The college prefers applications by February 19 for fall entry, but applications are accepted and notifications sent on a rolling basis. There is a deferred admissions plan. Freshmen are admitted to all sessions.copy
Applicants must submit the following: a portfolio and completed application, SAT I scores (excluding international students), official high school and/or college transcripts, an essay, a letter of recommendation, and an application fee of $30. A campus tour is recommended. AP and CLEP credits are accepted. International students must take the TOEFL and achieve a minimum score of 500 or an equivalent score on computer based tests. Prospective students can schedule tours and portfolio reviews through the Office of Admissions. Accepted students may also schedule a "preview visit" to attend classes and have lunch with a current AIB student. Agreements with many Massachusetts community colleges facilitate credit transfer. Three semesters full time residency must be completed at AIB. Credit for life/work is given.