Student Lending Art Program

Two people attend the MIT List Arts Center SLAP Reception 2019.

Student Lending Art Program Reception, 2019

The Student Lending Art Program is a unique and popular MIT tradition that allows MIT students to borrow original works of art from the MIT List Visual Arts Center.

The fully digitized collection includes more than 700 framed original works of art, primarily prints and photographs by leading contemporary artists, which are made available to students each September to live with for the school year. 

Students live with and care for a work from the collection. Participating students proudly hang artwork borrowed from the collection in their private rooms and communal spaces.  

Explore Collection

Support

The List Center actively collects new works each year with leadership support provided by the Alan M. May Fund and the John Taylor Endowment.

Support for the program is provided by the Office of Graduate Education, Vera G. List, MIT’s Campus Activities Complex, MIT List Friends of Boston Art, Stanhope Framers, and the Council for the Arts at MIT.

In 2018–2019 the List Center received gifts of art from Cynthia and Michael Weisfield, Olga and John Guttag, Carlos de la Torre, Audrey and James Foster, David C. Schmittlein, and Souren Ouzounian.

Additional funds for acquisitions were provided by Karen & Gregory Arenson, Rhea Cohen, Leila Kinney, Joan L. Lewis, Bethany & Robert Millard, Sara Ann & Robert Sanders, Idee German Schoenheimer, Pepi Weiss, and the Friends of Boston Art.

Student Stories

“During the pandemic, taking peace and pride in my home life was a big focus for me. Also, I spend so much time in this room, writing my thesis here, a few months ago I caught COVID and quarantined in here… so having this cheerful, but peaceful piece of art has been special.”

Caroline Jaffe

A woman sits in an office sitting area on one of two yellow chairs with three framed artworks behind her.

Watch: Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawing #869B

MIT List Center Student Lending Art Collection Highlight: Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawing # 869B

Preview image for the video "MIT List Center Student Lending Art Collection Highlight: Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawing # 869B".

New Acquisitions

Watercolor abstract painting on paper with a horizon line on the lower third and abstract shapes in blue, orange, red, and dark grey.
Abstract water color painting with a horizon line on the lower third, a dark blue background and a round yellow shape leading to the top of the page.
Abstract photo collage with a round shape in the upper left that connects to a wavy shape leading down the page,
Black and white photograph of a crowded group of people taking up the entire frame.
Photograph of a British Redcoat re-enactor sitting under a tree on some grass overlooking a suburb.
Black and white photograph of a sea shore with sand in the foreground.
Black and white photograph of a river with marsh on each side and a clear sky.
Light blue background with a cupped hand coming out from the left and drops of liquid falling into their palm.
Black and white phot collage with a child in the center and other people looking at him and a hand on the right reaching out towards him.
Black and white photograph of a school yard with a small field and bare trees.
Enameled abstract photograph with a yellow hue.
Gold framed abstract print with 2 large circular shapes the center and bottom right corner and a small circle in the upper left corner.