Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Launches "Dear Vincent" Letter Writing Contest for Boston Youth in Celebration of Van Gogh Exhibition

Student Voices to Share Museum Walls with Van Gogh's Roulin Family Portraits in Unique Cultural Experience

BOSTON, MA – May 5, 2025 – In partnership with 826 Boston, Boston Public Schools, and Savvas Learning Company, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), is hosting "Dear Vincent," an innovative letter-writing contest for Boston students in conjunction with "Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits." The exhibition, which is on view at the Museum through September 7, 2025, explores the artist’s groundbreaking portrayals of a family he met during his time in Arles, France.

Inspired by Van Gogh’s deep connection to the Roulins, the contest invites K-12 students in Boston to write letters to the artist exploring the meaning of family. Students may also choose to submit original artwork that expresses their feelings about family.

The contest is presented through a partnership between the MFA, Boston Public Schools, and 826 Boston, with generous sponsorship from Savvas Learning Company, whose mission is to provide high-quality learning experiences to help all students succeed. Up to 36 selected submissions will be displayed near the entrance to the exhibition, giving students the extraordinary opportunity to have their work showcased in the same building as masterpieces by one of history's most beloved artists.

"We're proud to partner with 826 Boston, Savvas and BPS to support this initiative that encourages students to explore creativity, emotional expression, and art history simultaneously,” said Darcy-Tell Morales, Patti and Jonathan Kraft Chief of Learning and Community Engagement at MFA Boston.

Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, emphasized the educational value of the initiative: "Writing is a fundamental skill that opens doors to self-expression, critical thinking, and academic success. This partnership with the MFA gives students a meaningful context for developing literacy skills by connecting them personally with art history. When students write letters to Vincent van Gogh, they're engaging in a creative dialogue that brings art to life and makes history relevant to their own experiences and family stories."

As part of the city’s Boston Family Days program, all registered Boston students and families receive free admission to the Museum the first two Sundays of each month, and with generous support from Savvas Learning Company, the Museum is also able to extend to registered families complimentary access to the Van Gogh exhibition on Boston Family Days from July 6 to September 7, pending availability. Timed tickets must be reserved in-person, and arriving early is recommended to avoid sell-outs. For more information about registering for Boston Family Days admission, please visit https://www.mfa.org/visit/boston-family-days.

“Writing is such an important foundational skill, not just for the classroom but for life. Engaging students in creative writing experiences, like crafting a personal letter to Vincent van Gogh, helps them build knowledge and practice their writing skills,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. “Savvas is excited to be part of this fun, cross-curricular literacy activity that immerses students in imaginative writing.”

Submissions for the "Dear Vincent" contest are being accepted electronically until Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Letters should be addressed to Van Gogh directly, reflect on personal meanings of family, and draw connections to the artist's relationship with the Roulin family. 826 Boston will review all submissions and select the finalists to be displayed.

Nile Blunt, the MFA’s Senior Director of Museum Learning, reiterated the importance of the contest in extending the Museum’s mission to foster creativity among young people, stating, "We're excited to see how Boston's youth interpret these universal themes that were so central to Van Gogh's relationship with the Roulin family." For more information about the contest guidelines and to submit entries, visit https://www.mfa.org/visit/boston-family-days.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA brings many worlds together through art. Showcasing masterpieces from ancient to contemporary, our renowned collection of more than half a million works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. From Boston locals to international travelers, visitors from all over come to experience the MFA—where they reveal connections, explore differences and create a community where all belong. Open six days a week, the MFA's hours are Saturday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm; Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; and Thursday–Friday, 10 am–10 pm. Plan your visit at mfa.org.

About 826

Boston 826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life. Services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with individualized attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. 826 Boston provides after-school tutoring, field trips, creative writing workshops, in-school Writers' Rooms, college essay assistance, help for English Language Learners, and in-depth publishing projects.

About Savvas Learning Company

At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula and supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the-art assessment tools and the industry's most innovative portfolio of college and career readiness solutions — all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company.

About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade-12 students in 121 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

Media Contact:
Sarah Drumm
Manager of Public Relations
SDrumm@mfa.org
(617) 369-3045

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Educators Share Reflections in Celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week 2025

Teachers touch students’ lives every day. Whether it’s nurturing a love of reading, providing a space to share personal challenges, or being a strong role model, Boston Public Schools (BPS) educators make a lifelong impact on students. 

During national Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 (May 5-9), BPS honors its teachers and celebrates their dedication to meeting the needs of more than 48,000 students. Through hard work, creativity, and commitment, the district’s educators provide a safe and supportive learning environment for every student.

In recognition of this special time of year, BPS teachers reflected on the educators who influenced their love of learning and offered friendly advice to those new to the classroom. 

Fenway High School teacher Keiron Jeremiah remembered his 10th grade chemistry teacher Mrs. Pica who provided a “safe haven” for students to talk about their lives.  He noted that her “level headed” approach to working with teenagers taught him a lot about patience. 

Jeremiah wants new teachers to be aware of the impact they have on students. “They see you every single day. When they are feeling good. When they are feeling bad,” he said. “You make a big difference in their lives and hopefully you know that and you are responsible for how you interact with them.”

Fellow Fenway High teacher Juliette Rorie said Mrs. Fergus, her teacher at the former Agassiz Elementary School in Jamaica Plain, sparked her love of books and stories when she read Harry Potter to her fifth grade class. Coincidentally, Mrs. Fergus was a student of Rorie’s grandmother. 

Rorie added, “Teaching runs in my family and when I saw the impact that it could have over generations, I just knew that it was something that it was something that I was going to do with my life.” 

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BPS Students Shine at Aspen Challenge: Boston Solutions Showcase

Edward M. Kennedy Academy, Excel High School, and Margarita Muñiz Academy Honored with 2025 Grand Prize

Students from the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Excel High School, and the Margarita Muñiz Academy are the grand prize winners of the 2025 Aspen Challenge: Boston, a two-year national education program that “challenges” high school students to design solutions to social justice issues impacting their communities.

Following a kick-off in February, students from 17 Boston Public high schools formed teams of approximately eight students and, under the direction of two coaches and with input from community partners, spent 10 weeks developing ideas to combat pressing problems including gun violence, the impact of socio-substantial media, climate change, substance abuse, and homelessness. Those ideas were presented to a panel of judges composed of community leaders, educators, and experts.

“Our students took on serious issues and challenges that students across the country face and I am blown away by the winning projects that showcased the hard work, creativity, and passion of every participant,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “The district and the entire City of Boston are so proud of these students who tapped into their best selves and put their hearts and souls into their ideas. This is what it means to collaborate, work as a team, and embrace a challenge. This experience is life-changing for everyone involved.”

For more than 75 years, the non-profit Aspen Institute has been developing solutions and driving change to the greatest challenges facing society. The Aspen Challenge, funded by the Bezos Family Foundation and the Aspen Institute, is a two-year educational opportunity for urban school districts around the nation. Launched in 2012, Boston is the 12th city to participate in the Aspen Challenge. Past host sites include Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas.

Grand prize winners will travel to the Aspen Ideas Festival in June, an event that brings creative minds from all over the world together to explore and consider ideas and issues facing society today.

• Students at Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers created Streetlight, a 24/7 toll-free anonymous texting service that connects students with homework help, housing resources, and a wide range of community organizations offering care and support. While the service is available to any student, Streetlight was designed to support young people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. 
• The Excel High School team launched a media campaign around the Red Chair, a symbol of the lives lost to gun violence which they plan to install in various public areas around the city. Students also wrote an original song and produced a moving music video that deepens the emotional impact of their message.
• In an effort to create a public dialogue around school safety and the impact of gun violence, students at the Margarita Muñiz Academy developed Panel 4 Prevention - or P4P - a playbook for all BPS high schools interested in hosting a public safety panel with community, law enforcement, and educational leaders. Students hosted their own panel which included the participation of Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and created a video illustrating the impact of gun violence on young people. 

Three other teams were also honored for their outstanding efforts:

• Originality Award - Boston International Newcomers Academy
• Collaboration Award - Boston Arts Academy
• Resilience Award - English High School 
• People’s Choice Award - Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

Congratulations to all of the participants in the Aspen Challenge who worked hard to address some of the toughest challenges facing our communities. We cannot wait to see more of our high schools and new teams participate in the Aspen Challenge next school year.

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