> [!Meta]+ Meta > PageType:: #organisation > Country:: #USA > Website:: [https://massart.edu/academics/programs/history-art](https://massart.edu/academics/programs/history-art)  MassArt, founded in 1873, is the nation’s oldest art-degree granting schools and the only publicly funded independent art college in the United States. Originally the Massachusetts Normal Art School, it was intended to support the Massachusetts Drawing Act of 1870 by providing drawing teachers for the public schools as well as training professional artists, designers, and architects. Craft has a long-standing presence in its studios, especially weaving/fibers, ceramics, glass, furniture, jewelry, and metalwork. Unlike most other art/craft schools in the USA, it is accessible and diverse: Approximately 1 in 5 MassArt students are first generation college students; Approximately 30% of MassArt's student body is Asian, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or multiracial; MassArt's BIPOC student graduation rate (75%) is ranked second or third among Massachusetts public universities.