Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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90 Such a stereotype is a falsehood, he adds, that devalues artists personally and profes- sionally, and implicitly makes the argument that a creative profession isn't a valid career choice. "I always rail against that idea," Steinberg says. But he doesn't just rail against it in conversation; he's also doing something about it as president of Montserrat College of Art in Beverly. After about a year in the role, Steinberg is as committed as ever to advancing Montser- rat's mission of preparing its students to make a living in the fields of art and design. Each of the college's offerings—including its courses and majors, its internship programs, and its postgraduate support services—at- tempts to fulfill a singular charge for stu- dents: "How does it support a creative life?" In doing this, Montserrat vividly illus- trates that its students' creative skills are "critical to the world," says Brian Pellinen, dean of academic affairs. Although art that exists chiefly for beauty is inherently impor- tant in itself, there's also a valuable utility to what Montserrat's students design and make, he says. They're using CAB software, doing film and video editing, making books, and creating animation, and through it all, they are engaging with the community and the wider world. "Look around your room, look around your office. Everything you touch, everything you wear has been designed," Pel- linen says. "That's utility, and that's what our students do." Pellinen says Steinberg " brings an exciting new energy to a place that's really ready to grow." Henrietta Gates, chair of the board of trustees, agrees. "Kurt's vision builds on the strategic plan of three years ago, which emphasizes the importance of embedding professional preparation in the curriculum and preparing our students for a creative life after graduation," she says. Montserrat's renewed vision ref lects the way the college and the larger culture is changing. Montserrat opened in 1970 as a school for visual arts, and then went through some years of f luctuating enroll- ment and up-and-down finances during the economic downturn before a combination of smart fundraising and a strong focus on enrollment during the last few years of President Emeritus Stephen Immerman's tenure righted the ship. With its financial viability and long-term sustainability secured, the interdisciplinary art and design college has been turning its attention to its next chapter. "What is the next version of us?" Steinberg asks. As a specialty school with a strong studio culture and deeply experienced faculty, Montserrat offers an intimate, intense, and focused setting in which to study art and design. Its student body is intentionally small, with a 12-to-1 faculty-to-student ratio. "We are about 400 students, and that is on purpose. That's an intentional choice by the college," Steinberg says. "What we're offering in the art and design space is the opportu- nity for students never to get lost." Montserrat also offers students some- thing even more practical: a path toward employment in the creative field of their choice. Steinberg says Montserrat wants to ensure that its curriculum helps students plan their futures and find answers to real- world questions such as, how do I get studio space? How do I price my work? How can I be a small business owner and support a creative life? Look around your room, look around your office. Everything you touch, everything you wear has been designed. That's utility, and that's what our students do.