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

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.

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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District Immigration Guidance

Letters from the Superintendent

April 9, 2025: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Termination of Parole Letter
January 22, 2025: Our Commitment to Welcoming School Communities

April 9, 2025: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Termination of Parole Letter

April 9, 2025

Dear BPS Community:

We want to take a moment to acknowledge a difficult situation affecting some of our students and families. The District is aware that several students received communication from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) titled “Termination of Parole,” informing them that the CHNV Parole Program is being terminated. We understand that this news will likely strike many as disheartening, frightening, and overwhelming. The communication from the Department includes recommendations to leave the United States immediately, as well as notice of parole termination and the end of employment authorization.

We want to assure our families of a critical and unwavering truth: the United States Supreme Court has affirmed that all students have the right to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. All residents of Boston have the right to a free public education through Boston Public Schools. We remain fully committed to providing every student with a welcoming, supportive environment and a world class education.

If you have questions about what this DHS communication means for your family or need additional support, we encourage you to reach out to your School Leader, who can help point you to known resources. While BPS is not able to offer direct legal advice or representation, we are aware of community organizations that provide these services. A list of these resources can be found on our website under Family Resources. The direct link is: (https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/students-families/district-immigration-guidance/district-immigration-guidance-resources). We also want our community members to be cautious of non-attorneys charging attorneys fees for completing immigration related paperwork and scams; only immigration lawyers and accredited representatives should provide legal advice and help fill out forms.

We also encourage you to stay informed about what transpires with the CHNV program. Previously, in cases of other immigration programs (like TPS) that the new federal administration has sought to end, legal challenges have ensued, delaying the termination of the immigration program in question. For instance, DoeNoem, Case No. 1:25-cv-10495 (D. Mass.), is a lawsuit challenging the Executive Order directing DHS to end all several parole programs.

As your Superintendent, I want to personally express my care and concern for each and every student and family impacted by this situation. If a family or student receives a termination of parole letter, we ask that they speak with their School Leader in person or by phone.

Please know that you are not alone. We are here for you, and we will continue to stand beside our students and families during this uncertain time.

With care and solidarity,

Mary E. Skipper

Superintendent

Boston Public Schools

January 22, 2025: Our Commitment to Welcoming School Communities

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Dear Boston Public Schools Community,

In Boston Public Schools, we celebrate our rich diversity, which contributes to a vibrant community and experience for all our students. When we welcome our more than 48,000 students into school every day, they deserve to be children–focused on learning in their classrooms, performing on stage, striving to be the best they can in their sport, or exploring their passion for learning and growing.

I want to both remind and reassure our BPS community of our responsibilities and legal obligation to our students and families.

As public educators, our focus across BPS is to ensure that every student who resides in Boston has access to the quality public education they are entitled to, regardless of immigration status, their race and ethnicity, the language they speak or the area of the city they live.
BPS cannot require or ask students or caregivers for information regarding immigration status or citizenship.
BPS does not share personally identifiable student information with law enforcement or federal immigration enforcement agencies without a court order or lawfully issued subpoena, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
BPS cannot recognize administrative warrants, detainers, or other documents issued by an agency enforcing civil immigration law, as this is barred under FERPA.
BPS complies with all laws, and we have a policy that no unauthorized adults are allowed into school buildings.

As part of an ongoing review of visitor and school safety guidelines, BPS has provided support to school administrators to ensure an understanding of their legal obligations to students under federal and state law, as well as District policy. Our team has provided guidance to school leaders and family-facing staff. We remain focused and committed to our responsibility to educate and care for ALL our students.

We will continue to provide information and aid to our parents and caregivers, sharing those resources in our nine major BPS languages. Our Family Resource Specialists will work closely with the community through our English Learner Advisory Committees. The BPS Helpline is available to answer questions from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays at 617-635-8873 or via email at helpline@bostonpublicschools.org. Additionally, the Office of Civil Rights will continue to enforce our policies prohibiting discrimination, including on the basis of national origin.

We will ensure that these District efforts are continuous as they reflect our values and commitment to all students and families in BPS. We will regularly communicate with our school communities and community partners, provide training and guidance opportunities to staff, and remain focused and committed to our responsibility to educate and care for all our students. I am humbled to be your Superintendent and look forward to learning with and from our community as we deliver on the promise of our mission: every student, every classroom, every school.

In partnership,

Mary Skipper

Superintendent