Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) proudly announces the 2024 Common Good Awards, honoring a distinguished group of individuals who demonstrate the power of the arts to inspire advocacy, education, and social transformation. This year’s recipients reflect the diversity of creative practices that contribute to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

The awards will be presented on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at noon at the Design and Media Center at MassArt (621 Huntington Avenue, Boston). The event is free and open to the public, though tickets are required.

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2024 Common Good Award Honorees

Photo courtesy of the honoree.

Toni Elka (BFA Painting ’86)
Award: Distinguished Alumni Award

Elka, founder of Future Chefs, has made a profound impact on youth development through culinary arts in Boston. Her nonprofit provides life skills, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to prepare young people for success. Elka’s leadership has been nationally recognized for empowering youth and fostering social change.

Photo by Ryan Sullivan.

May Chau (BFA Arts Education ’07)
Award: Frances Euphemia Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching

Chau, Visual Arts Supervisor for Somerville Public Schools, is honored for her commitment to cultivating a collaborative arts education environment. Her teaching encourages creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning in one of the state’s most diverse school systems, continuing MassArt’s legacy of training transformative arts educators.

Photo courtesy of the honoree.

Shirley Ann Session Edgerton
Community Activist and Founder of R.O.P.E.

Edgerton’s work with the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program (R.O.P.E.) uplifts young women of color by promoting self-sufficiency and global citizenship. Her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion has earned her widespread recognition, including honorary degrees.

Photo courtesy of the honoree.

Thaddeus Miles
Senior Director of Diversity Initiatives, MassHousing

Miles, founder of the Black Joy Initiative, is recognized for his efforts to promote equity through art and culture. His initiatives, including Black Joy Day and youth-authored publications, highlight his commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and fostering joy and resilience.

Photo by Wolfgang Wesener.

Frederick Wiseman
Documentary Filmmaker

Wiseman, an acclaimed filmmaker with 44 documentaries to his name, captures the human experience through the lens of social institutions. His work has received four Emmys and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival, along with an Academy Honorary Award in 2016.

Photo courtesy of the honoree

Yinette Guzman (BFA Architecture ’08)
Senior Project Manager, North Shore Community Development Coalition

Guzman is celebrated for her leadership in curating the Punto Urban Art Museum (PUAM) in Salem, MA. Her efforts in transforming underserved communities through public art reflect her commitment to inclusivity, creative placemaking, and cultural preservation.

For more information, please visit massart.edu/massart-common-good-awards.