Photo: Jenne Willis

Showing your work in professionally coordinated exhibitions is an important part of developing as an artist. The SMFA offers a wide range of opportunities to show your art, from student-curated projects at the School to highly competitive juried exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Major annual exhibitions include:

The Student Annual Exhibition. The SMFA’s largest annual survey of student work, this is a juried exhibition in which students compete for the Stella Sumner Cooper Award and the Will and Elena Barnet Painting Award. The Student Annual also features work by recipients of the Dana Pond Awards and the Boit Awards. More about awards… 

The Fifth Year Exhibition. This exhibition presents work by students in the Fifth Year Program. Participants compete for the Traveling Scholars awards, which include an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Traveling Scholars Exhibition. The Traveling Scholars exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, presents work by Traveling Scholars award recipients selected by two independent juries from alumni and Fifth Year applicants.

The December Sale. The December Sale features nearly 5,000 pieces of art made by students, faculty, alumni, and staff. Open to the public, the four-day sale attracts thousands of collectors, gallery owners, and art lovers.

Courtyard Gallery Exhibitions. Courtyard Gallery exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, focus on different aspects of student work.

MFA Thesis Exhibitions. Thesis exhibitions present the work of students in the Master of Fine Arts program at the Tufts University Art Gallery.