Stephanie Houten
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Stephanie Houten is a junior at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. A dual major in the Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) and Film/Video, she is involved in MassArt's Student Government Association, community engagement, and the development of public policy activist student groups. Through the Green Arts Network Artist Showcase she began two years ago, Stephanie organizes local artists, activists, and students engaged in sustainability to share their work and network around climate politics, sustainable art practices, and grassroots organizing. This year, Ms. Houten joined the student cohort of MassArt's Center for Art and Community Partnerships (CACP) through her work as an organizer for the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM), a conglomerate of Massachusetts public higher education institutions who advocate for a high-quality, debt-free public higher education system. Stephanie founded the MassArt PHENOM Chapter and works to organize voter registration drives, lead peaceful protests, and organize phone banks. Stephanie is a committed student leader dedicated to addressing issues of social justice on campus and beyond.
Personal Statement
My journey in community work began when I started attending Bunker Hill Community College. I discovered the joy in working with other artists to provide opportunity for creation, friendship, and growth among my community members. As I studied philosophy, political science, and the arts, I began to get more and more involved in local political actions and grassroots organizing. Today, I work with other students and activists all over Boston to fight for our educational, racial, and gender rights by organizing direct actions, phone banks, and advocacy meetings with politicians.
