The SAA Office

The Student Art Association Office provides the SAA community with administrative support in a 550 sq. ft. social meeting space. One 24 hour per week, part-time, Coordinator level staff person is ultimately responsible for all of the SAA’s programming. Five student Program Assistants also work out of the SAA Office, each working on different projects to keep the SAA running smoothly.

The SAA primarily functions independently from the administrative systems that support MIT’s academic classes. It is literally a school within a school. Because its budget is limited and because it serves so many students each year, the SAA Office must operate efficiently and frugally.

Services that the SAA Office provides include:

  • Determining SAA curriculum and class schedules
  • Hiring practicing artists as subcontracted teachers
  • Publishing posters, websites, and course bulletins for four semesters each year
  • Promoting SAA classes within the MIT student community
  • Regularly updating 5 bulletin boards, 2 flat art display cases, and 3 sculptural display cases
  • Registering over 500 SAA students, staff, and alumni for classes each year
  • Accepting and processing payment for classes
  • Maintaining a registration database, six e-mail lists, and an ID card-swipe security system
  • Holding bi-weekly staff meetings, tri-annual Advisory Committee meetings, and bi-annual teacher meetings
  • Hosting art workshops at Campus Preview Weekend and other MIT events
  • Complying with MIT’s Environmental Health and Safety protocols
  • Holding regular office hours and setting a supportive and creative tone for the SAA studios
  • Lending camera, books, and other equipment to students
  • Storing materials for the Wiesner Student Art Gallery and the Schnitzer Prize
  • Organizing two art sales each year
  • Publishing a calendar of SAA artwork and MIT academic dates
  • Coordinating repairs, maintenance, and changes to the SAA studios


The Student Art Association was founded in 1969. Since then it has had to struggle to hold onto the small budget it has. Many of the current projects are made possible by the generous patronage of the Council for the Arts at MIT.

Endowing and naming the SAA Office would insure that the Student Art Association will continue to serve the MIT community for years to come.

Annual SAA Office Budget Needs

Professional Development    2,400
Student Staff    8,000
Meetings    2,000
Total annual expenditure    12,400

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