The Boston Arts Academy building has been named for Dr. Elma I. Lewis, American arts educator and founder of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts.
An Historic Vote
In the fall of 2022, the Boston School Committee voted unanimously to name the new Boston Arts Academy school building in honor of Dr. Elma I. Lewis, who devoted her life to bringing culture into the lives of Boston’s African American community. She founded the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts—offering a robust program to Boston’s African American community in art, drama, music, dance, and costume design—and is the founder of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA). She is a graduate of Emerson College and Boston University. Dr. Lewis is one of the first recipients of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship for her dedicated work in the arts and also received the Presidential Medal for the Arts from President Ronald Regan. Her legacy will continue to inspire our BAA students for years to come.
