The SMFA at Tufts is an amazing place for students interested in visual art to study. With access to the resources of a world renowned higher education institute and art museum, students have the ability to study individualized educations from sculpture in metals to painting to virtual reality. While none of the areas of study and no courses offered are explicitly related to food systems, naturally, students taking courses such as landscape drawing or flora and fauna can incorporate agriculture and food into their work as much as they choose.
The SMFA does have student organizations active in sustainability work, a vital part of functioning food systems. These organizations include Eco-Reps, a group of residential students who work in their dorm communities to raise awareness about ecological issues, encourage environmentally responsible behavior, and plan fun, creative, and environmentally geared events and activities. Also at the SMFA is an initiative aimed to decrease waste from art supplies and to provide used materials to students, called CArte Util. Finally, the Sustainability Committee, made up of students, faculty, and staff who organize sustainability groups, events, and initiatives at the SMFA.
All of this sustainability work factors into food systems, even if indirectly. Find out more about the sustainability work going on at the SMFA here!