Denise with Kay at her sendoff party at MassArt. (photo: Glenn Kulbako)

Somewhere along the way our paths crossed, I met Kay in the mid-nineties when we were both immersed in issues around Creative Economy and were on the board of the New England Creative Economy Initiative. Under her guidance, Mass Art, has provided Korn Design with many talented designers and artists who have come to work with us over the years. Needless to say, we believe in Kay and all that she stands for, heck,  she even added “Design” into the name of the college, now officially Massachusetts College of Art and Design! Did I say, we love you Kay?

Fighting tirelessly for legislative reforms and ideas around the power of the Creative Economy I thought it appropriate to include some of these amazing achievements below. Did I say we will all miss you in your role at Mass Art Kay?

As President of MassArt, Kay Sloan:

• Initiated the New Partnership with the Commonwealth, a groundbreaking model for public institutions of higher education that enables MassArt to increase revenues from private sources, foster entrepreneurial activities, and grow enrollments from outside New England.

• Played a vital role in establishing the value and necessity of the Creative Economy to the state of Massachusetts, an industry consisting of more than 14,000 businesses that employ approximately 80,000 people, injecting billions of dollars into the state’s economy.

• Announced a multi-year $140 million comprehensive campaignfor MassArt that will revitalize the campus, increase scholarship funding, and grow the college’s endowment.

• Developed major collaborative programs with neighboring colleges through the Colleges of the Fenway and other consortia, which have expanded academic opportunities and facilities for all students and resulted in substantial cost savings for the college.

• Strengthened MassArt’s role as a major cultural and educational resource to the greater Boston area, developing the Center for Art and Community Partnerships, a comprehensive center for civic engagement and service-learning programs.

• Transformed the face of MassArt along Huntington Avenue by developing two new artists’ residences for housing 725 students; expanding dining facilities and campus center; renovating the Pozen Center for Interrelated Media; and launching planning and design phases for new Design and Media Center and renovations to the Bakalar and Paine Galleries.

• Significantly increased the Annual Fund and the Annual Auction.

• Expanded MassArt’s international relationships and global reach by increasing partnerships with art and design colleges around the world.

I feel like one of the lucky few to hold Kay close as she graciously joined the Youth Design Board of Directors this January. All of us at Korn Design and Youth Design wish you well and honor the work you have done for our community over the years. I guess I won’t miss you too much, see you soon!