BEVERLY – In a continuous stride to deliver career-focused and affordable education, the Montserrat College of Art has unveiled two new concentrations and major enhancements to its Animation program. These exciting updates have been designed to cater to the rapidly changing needs of today’s creative industries and prepare students to meet the requirements of future employers.
Interim President Brian Pellinen articulated the college’s vision: “As student interests evolve and the needs of the country’s creative industries change, Montserrat continues to broaden its curricular offerings. We are equipping our students to fulfill their creative ambitions, encouraging them to become entrepreneurs in the fields of art, design, and art education.”
The New Concentrations
The new concentrations – Games, Toys, and Play and Writing & Visual Narratives will commence in the upcoming fall semester. Montserrat’s unique approach allows students to pick their concentration at the end of their sophomore year after exploring a wide-ranging field of study.
Games, Toys, and Play
Games, Toys, and PlayThis concentration seeks to leverage the power of interactive art for fun, education, and community building. It covers an expansive terrain – from video games, alternate and virtual reality, card and tabletop games, to collectibles and toys for special populations. This opportunity enables students who have been collectors or players to evolve into creators in this burgeoning industry.
Courses in 3D modeling, digital fabrication, and video game design form the core curriculum. Furthermore, students will delve into the psychological and sociological aspects of play and the neurology of a player. This concentration builds on the rich legacy of game design on the North Shore, home to renowned companies like Parker Brothers and Hasbro.
Writing & Visual Narratives
This concentration marries storytelling and imagery – the essence of comic books, graphic novels, illustrated children’s books, screenwriting, and storyboarding. Facilitating this connection, the program synergizes the strengths of Montserrat’s Creative Writing program with a medium of each student’s choice.
The concentration endows students with a deep understanding of story structuring and the dynamics of audience interaction. It aims to equip students with the tools needed to bring stories to life, whether as independent creators or part of a larger team.
Enhanced Animation Program
Animation and Interactive Media, one of Montserrat’s most sought-after programs, is also being expanded. The updated curriculum will help students master advanced animation techniques required in the creation of films, video games, motion graphics, and more. The program boasts a notable alumni roster who have worked with industry giants like Disney, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, and Hasbro.
The Montserrat College of Art is a residential institution focusing on visual art education. The college offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, international study programs, five minors, and a mandatory internship program at the intersection of art, design, and technology. Montserrat alumni have graced some of the country’s biggest brands like Disney, Puma, and Hasbro.
Alongside, the college runs year-round classes for various age groups through its Continuing Education Division and maintains four public galleries that offer free exhibitions and lectures throughout the year. For more details, visit Montserrat – “Where Creativity Works.”
