Do I have to attend the first day of class? 

Yes. It is required and critical to attend the first day of classes and arrive on time, as many course materials, concepts, and goals are introduced. Additionally, faculty introduce and assign projects on the first day and cover the conceptual and technical content for successful completion of those assignments. 

What will happen if I miss the first day of class?

Faculty may drop your name from the class roster to make a seat available to another student on the waiting list if you are not present. If you are unable to attend, you must notify the instructor before the first day of class. Missing the first day of class will count as an absence, regardless of the reason. 

What is the attendance policy in the Studio Foundation Department? 

Timely attendance is mandatory and expected.
Three absences will result in automatic No Credit.
Three “lates” will be equivalent to one absence.

Absent is defined as missing more than 30 minutes of class. Late is defined as arriving to class after roll has been taken, or leaving class for more than allotted break times. 

The goal of the Studio Foundation Department Attendance Policy is to foster and support thriving classroom communities. This policy is read aloud and discussed on the first day of classes. Attendance is taken and recorded every class meeting in Self Service.

Bear in mind that each academic and studio department has its own attendance policy that reflects the college core attendance policy. Check your course syllabus for more information.

 

What should I expect as a Studio Foundation student? 

You are expected to attend all of your classes on time for the full period, actively participate in class discussions and activities, and complete all coursework on the due date to get feedback and to be in conversation with peers. These simple habits will help develop your studio practice and get the most out of your learning experience during foundation year.

 

Do you have any specific advice to a Studio Foundation student?  

The following suggestions are directly from the Studio Foundation faculty members:

• Attend all class meetings ready to participate and engage with an open mind. 
• Communicate with your professors. And check your MassArt email regularly.
• Arrive to class with appropriate materials and tools to work with.
• Build positive relationships with your peers, faculty, and the community. 
• Stay organized and be responsible. Write a daily to-do-list.
• Try to balance schoolwork, social life, and health and well-being.
• Plan on spending a minimum of five hours of homework for each class.
• Have fun and still treat your craft and creativity with the seriousness they deserve. 

 

Do I have to purchase any course materials before the first day of class?

No, unless it was noted on the course description and/or your instructor has communicated with you about materials through your MassArt email before class. The instructor typically hands out or announces a list of materials to be purchased on the first day of class. However, it is always a good idea to bring at least a pencil and sketchbook on the first day (A starter art kit is provided for Academic Year 2026/2027; SF Studio Manager will contact students directly).

 

Do I need to purchase my own laptop computer now?

No, you don’t have to purchase one right now; if you already have one, that is fine. But if you don’t have your own laptop, you will need an external drive to store your digital work, or use your MassArt Google Drive. Check out the ‘SF Digital Manager Introduction’ on sf.massart.edu for external drive technical recommendations.

 

Is there a computer lab for me to do my digital studio work?

Yes, the Studio Foundation Department and the College provide access to computers during Visual Language and TIME classes. And open lab hours both in Studio Foundation on the 3rd floor of the South Building and in The Lab on the 3rd floor of Tower Building for you to complete your digital media assignments and printing work. MassArt’s Godine Library has computers for researching and writing papers located on the 12th floor of Tower Building.

 

Where can I find the description and information on the Studio Foundation courses?

You will find all the course descriptions on massart.edu/program/studio-foundation. The full course content and objectives will be on the syllabus and will be shared with you by individual faculty, either by email or posted on Canvas (course portal), and sometimes hard copies during the first day of class.

 

How can I find out the name of my faculty advisor?

Check MassArt’s Self-Service page at massart.edu/selfservice; the name and email of your faculty advisor are typically listed there. Also, your courses for the semester, faculty names, and their emails are listed there as well.

 

If I need extra academic and studio support outside my class?

First, you should always consult with your instructor for additional support. In addition, each foundation student is assigned to a Student Success Coach through the Academic Resource Center (ARC). If you need them, they will work with you on a one-to-one basis. Success Coaches introduce strategies such as time management, self-motivation, confidence building, and study skills to bring about project completion. Success Coaches encourage you to become actively engaged in the learning process and to develop academic self-advocacy.

 

I am a commuter student. Is there a designated space where I can do my work?

Yes, there is a MassArt commuter workspace located in the Artists’ Residence Building (600 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA). It provides commuter students, particularly foundation year students, a dedicated place to work on projects and collaborate. For more information on accessing the commuter workspace, please contact Reid MacPherson, SF Studio Manager, at 617-879-7381 or email rmmacpherson@massart.edu.

 

I am a commuter student. Is there a place where I can securely leave my art materials and my work?

Yes, you can request a storage locker. Contact Reid MacPherson, SF Studio Manager, at 617-879-7381 or email rmmacpherson@massart.edu to place your request.

 

If I need to work on my sculptural project in the SF Woodshop, where can I find the open lab schedule for the semester?

The SF Woodshop open lab schedule is posted each semester on the door outside the SF Woodshop. The woodshop monitor will be available to support you and for your safety.

 

I need extra help using the Apple computer (or Adobe Photoshop, or Premiere). Where can I get some additional help?

The first thing you should do is speak with your instructor for extra support. Another option is Tech Help in Studio (THiS), an open lab with a knowledgeable individual to help. The THiS hours are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:45 pm – 9:45 pm. Also, one-on-one sessions can be scheduled in advance with Gene Preble, SF Media Arts Studio Manager, at 617-879-7298 or by email at elpreble@massart.edu. 

 

I don’t have experience using Adobe Photoshop or Premiere or a DSLR camera; are there course materials that I can start with before the semester begins?

Yes, visit the sf.massart.edu course resource page for tutorials and materials specific to class assignments.

 

If I need to change my course schedule before the first semester begins, how should I go about it?

Since your faculty advisor is not usually on campus during summer break. You should directly contact the Academic Resource Center for advising support at massart.edu/academics/academic-support or the Registrar’s Office for assistance at massart.edu/academics/registrar/. Please note: It is difficult to change your schedule before the first semester, since all First Year courses are usually at their full capacity. Visit connect.massart.edu for the Add/Drop overview page.

 

If I have questions about academic issues, who should I talk to?

You should contact your faculty advisor first. If you need additional advising, you may contact the Academic Resource Center. Also, the Studio Foundation department has two resident advisors specifically to guide first-year students. You may contact Prof. Jarrett Davis at jmdavis@massartt.edu or Prof. Joshua Hart at jhart@massart.edu

 

If I have a question related to the Studio Foundation and don’t know who I should reach out to directly, who should I contact?

You may stop by the SF main office, room S301 on the 3rd floor of the South Building, or email your question to Danielle Maio, at dmaio@massart.edu.

 

Where can I find additional resources, news, and updates for the Studio Foundation?

Visit the Studio Foundation website at sf.massart.edu for course and department resources. Follow us on Instagram, @studiofoundation_massart, to view student work and classroom activities. And check out MassArt Connect at connect.massart.edu for community news, channels, resources, and more. 

 

Note: These are quick answers for frequently asked questions; please contact your instructor or faculty advisor for specific questions. Studio Foundation (SF) Attendance Policy is approved unanimously by the SF Curriculum Committee, 21 April 2026. Updated fall2026, JS.