The Nancy and Edward Roberts Gallery
In a moving act of philanthropy, a Lesley University faculty member and her husband have made a significant gift to the University towards the construction of the new Art Institute of Boston (AIB) facility as part of the Cambridge Campus. In recognition of their generosity, the school’s main art gallery will be named in their honor: The Nancy and Edward Roberts Gallery.
Lesley University began construction on a new art center in Porter Square, Cambridge in 2012. The new facility features street-level galleries, an art library housed in a historic church building, and will brings AIB’s century-long tradition of art instruction to the Lesley campus. More than one-third of all Lesley students are engaged in the arts – through Creative Arts in Learning programs, Expressive Therapies and other programs. The integration of the practical arts with theoretical arts programs on the Cambridge campus promises to enrich the entire university through enhanced educational opportunities.
Professor Nancy Roberts joined the Lesley faculty in 1975, and is a pioneer in the utilization of emerging technologies in classrooms. She is the founder of the Lesley University Master’s program in Technology in Education, which began in 1979 and is among the University’s flagship programs. Professor Edward Roberts is the David Sarnoff Professor of Management of Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he founded and chairs the MIT Entrepreneurship Center.
Advocacy for the Arts
The Roberts’ are long-time art collectors, and strong supporters of the arts in Boston through financial support and advocacy for institutions such as The Museum of Fine Arts, the Huntington and Speakeasy theater companies.
“Ed and I are proud to play a role in creating a new center for the arts in Porter Square,” said Nancy Roberts. “AIB, as an important part of the Lesley campus, not only brings a wealth of cultural exploration to the community, but a unique opportunity to infuse the energy of artists and art-making on students throughout the university. As art programs are increasingly cut in our nation’s schools, it’s more important than ever for educators not only to place a value on the role of the arts, but to explore the arts in meaningful ways.”
Lesley University President Joseph B. Moore stressed the important role the arts plays at Lesley and the impact of the Roberts’ contribution for Lesley and the larger community.
President Moore made the announcement at the Strauch-Mosse Visiting Artist Lecture, featuring Faith Ringgold.
“Here at Lesley, more than a third of our students and faculty are engaged in arts,” said Moore. “These students are represented at each of Lesley’s four schools, with programs that lead to careers in the arts, the arts in teaching, expressive therapies, community arts and many other programs.”
“We’re honored to name the gallery in their honor, as the Nancy and Edward Roberts Gallery will display the works of local, as well as nationally and internationally accomplished artists,” said Moore. “More importantly, the gallery becomes a vital meeting place – where students, artists in the community, our neighbors in Cambridge and greater Boston can gather while exploring new, exciting and constantly evolving displays. We look forward to AIB becoming a focal point of Porter Square, and we’re deeply grateful to Nancy and Edward for helping to make it possible.”