CREATE: Cultivate Relationships by Engaging with Arts at Tufts Experiences
The CREATE (Cultivate Relationships by Engaging with Arts at Tufts Experiences) Orientation is an interactive pre-orientation program that centers activism through the arts. CREATE is open to all new students and much of the CREATE programming happens at our SMFA Campus in the Fenway Neighborhood of Boston!
About
Each year incoming CREATE students will immerse themselves in a critical social justice issue through various art mediums and institutions throughout the Boston area. By the end of the four-day program we hope that students will leave with a sense of belonging, community, and inspiration to incorporate the arts and tackle social justice issues during their time at Tufts. We encourage incoming students of all art levels and experience to join.
Typical Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast in Medford, Boston, or Brookline |
| 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Off-Campus Experience – museums, galleries, open markets, and more |
| 12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch with leaders |
| 1 - 5 p.m. | Art making – a different process every day |
| 5 - 6 p.m. | Dinner in the dining hall with leaders |
| 7 – 9:30 p.m. | Evening activities – everything ranging from an escape room to a gallery opening |
Student Coordinators
JoJo Miko
JoJo '27 (she/her) is a rising Junior in the combined degree program majoring in Fine Arts and Engineering Psychology. She loves creating interactive artwork that combines the digital and physical realms through robotics and mixed reality. Outside of her studies she loves leading JumboXR club meetings as a Co-President, and attending board game club, KODA practice, squash practice, and her weekly D&D sessions as a rogue dwarf. JoJo is from London, Ontario Canada, and is very excited to be a Co-Coordinator for CREATE this year!
Mariana Porras
From Caracas, Venezuela, Mariana's '27 (she/her) interests mostly revolve around the arts. From writing to theater and visual arts. She is doing the combined degree program with the SMFA, getting a BFA in Fine Arts and a BS in Cognitive & Brain Science. The Tufts SIGGRAPH chapter, a computer graphics club occupies most of her extra time along with collaborating for a Latinx Magazine on campus called SOMOS.
Staff
Maiyah Rivers
Program Advisor, Assistant Director of Student Life- SMFA
Maiyah plays a key role in program development and implementation, student organization advising, and operationalizing campus events to support the diverse SMFA student experience. She develops strategies and programs to ensure student participation and civic engagement, implements events and activities that promote community building and belonging, and collaborates with campus stakeholders and resources to ensure a positive student service experience.
Stephen Green
Program Advisor, Associate Director of Student Life- SMFA
Stephen is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the SMFA Student Life office for both undergraduate and graduate students. His responsibilities include hiring, training, and supervising student affairs assistants to manage the SMFA Student Life service window; advising Student Government Association; overseeing student support, resources, and referrals to campus partners as well as managing orientation programs and new student experiences. He leads the SMFA/Fenway Orientation Committee and represent SMFA on the larger Tufts Orientation planning committee.
Contact Us
CREATE
create.preo@tufts.edu | 617-627-2746 | @create_tufts
I loved going to the ICA and exploring the exhibition that was on display at the time. I also liked doing the art activities at the SMFA, like the dip dye projects and decorating our tote bags. CREATE helped me meet all kinds of students and made me fully realize how interdisciplinary students at Tufts are.
Morgan Moss, Class of 2027
I loved CREATE! I met most of my friends from it.