All In for Art

Steven and Amy Horowitz look forward to their annual pilgrimage to Boston for the SMFA Art Sale. The husband and wife, who both graduated from Tufts in 1998 and now live in New York, share an ardent interest in art. Sociology majors as undergraduates, they gravitate toward works that portray convictions about social issues and challenge ideas and assumptions.

Their collection has grown to include works by Helina Metaferia, AG15 (MFA), whose “Race Card” collage gives voice to under-recognized and marginalized women and artists of color, and photographer Lalla A. Essaydi, J99, AG03 (MFA), who, in her own words, invites viewers “to resist stereotypes.”

“The Art Sale is the highlight of our year,” said Steve. “We get to hear about different artists, and we know proceeds support financial aid, which creates an SMFA that’s inviting to talented students from all backgrounds. We come home with something we love, and we help to promote diverse voices in the arts.”

When the Horowitzes heard about the Schuler Access Initiative, it resonated with their interests and values. The Schuler Education Foundation is supporting financial aid efforts across the country for students with undocumented status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, and Pell Grant eligibility. At Tufts, the Schuler Access Initiative will match up to $25 million in gifts to financial aid.

For the Horowitzes, both trained as lawyers, the initiative aligns with their desire to support coming generations of artists, including those who will raise awareness about serious subjects.

Their contribution is also the latest expression of their ongoing enthusiasm for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (part of the Tufts School of Arts and Sciences since 2016).

The Schuler Access Initiative is a “powerful framework for supporting students who traditionally can’t afford college or to pursue a career path in the arts,” said Steve. And as applied to art education, “we see it as a path toward greater civil dialogue in our society.”

“We believe artists can contribute meaningful perspectives that can bridge differences like nothing else can,” said Amy. “It’s gratifying to know that through the Schuler Access Initiative, we are doing what we can to support an equitable and just society.”

Amy and Steve were both raised in New York City and met during Tufts pre-orientation. They hit it off so well they were dating by the time classes started.

By junior year, Steve, who had painted on and off since childhood, and Amy (then Schneider) were taking SMFA evening classes in painting and ceramics. Steve showed enviable talent, according to his wife. “He is like the Bob Ross of the family,” she said. “I made a pot that was too big for the kiln!”

The couple encouraged their children’s artistic curiosity, which would later bring them back to Tufts when their daughter enrolled in an SMFA summer Pre-College Program. Inspired by the school’s bustling vitality, they set up the Horowitz Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship Fund. In addition, they continue to be generous Annual Fund contributors and are members of the Visual Arts Advisory Board.

With their recent gift for financial aid, they are gratified to know they can help open the SMFA door to future artists.

“Our aspirations for SMFA,” said Steve, “are that it continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting artists who will, in the years to come, astound the world with their originality, convictions, and courage.”