Yale School of Art Dean Kymberly Pinder has set an ambitious goal to make the Master of Fine Arts program debt-free for students. Over her five years leading the institution, Pinder has raised $13 million towards establishing what she calls an "ethical MFA" that would allow graduates to pursue their artistic careers without the burden of substantial loan repayments.
Pinder, a scholar of race and public art, is focused on preparing students for the realities of a career in the arts. At Yale, she has pioneered financial literacy and grant-writing curricula. She has also worked to integrate students into the wider New Haven art community. Under her leadership, the school transformed an underused Yale-owned space into a student-run gallery showcasing local artists and initiated art projects within a local women's prison.
This spring, Pinder was reappointed as dean for a second five-year term, providing her with additional time to further her vision of a debt-free top MFA program.