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 650 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".

Recent Acquisitions

Black and white portrait of a man looking slightly up with a tear streaming down his face.
Abstract flower with diamond shaped leaves that are teal, cream, red and pink.
Abstract sketch of a person holding up a peace sign over one nostril with something coming out of their other nostril.
Lime green and pink background with warped effect and yellow text that reads we the people.
Black and white image of decaying butterfly wings partially reflected in a mirror at the bottom of the frame.
Minimal line drawing of two identical circular shapes overlapping with each other and another circular shape inside of each one
Print of three identical, black and white figures overlapping on a light brown background.
Textured dark blue and red prints with scratches and marks throughout.
Red print with a blue ring and light blue line resembling the letter L.
Print of a bird flying holding a sign that reads "you up?" on a dark black background.
Pink, yellow, and white rubrics collaged together taking up the entire frame.
Cut out sketch of a black and white face with eyes closed and dark lips