MASSACHUSETTS NORMAL ART SCHOOL,

BOSTON.

THE visitors of the Normal Art School respectfully submit their Eighth Annual Report, covering the year ending June 30, 1881.

When the occupancy of the Deacon House was determined. on, it was understood to be doubtful whether the heating-apparatus would prove to be adequate during the severity of the winter season. Experience has made it clear that it was not adequate. Some portions of it having proved defective, it was judged wise to construct a new boiler on an enlarged scale. Under the agreement embodied in the lease of the premises, the State will pay fifteen per cent of the cost as additional annual rent. It is provided, however, that this addition shall in no event exceed four hundred dollars ($400). It is is still a question whether the radiators are sufficient in certain parts of the building. Should it be necessary to enlarge these, or add others, the expense will be still further increased. The cost thus far is eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800). The addition, therefore, amounts to two hundred and seventy dollars ($270) a year. This sum must be provided for in future appropriations. The additional sum for the current financial year is one hundred and twenty dollars ($120), for which sufficient funds are in hand.

An analysis of the facts connected with the evening school led to the conclusion that its continuance was not essential to the ends for which the expenditures are made. Of the seventytwo pupils in the evening classes, more than one-half were from Boston, and could be equally well provided for, without additional expense, in the city evening schools. The remainder were all from the neighborhood of Boston, and could generally find instruction, it is probable, in the places of their residence. At

all events, as but seven of the remainder were teachers, the State could hardly be justified in the outlay which the support of the evening school required. It was, therefore, discontinued. The statistics for the year are as follows:

Occupations of parents: Teachers, 18; retired, 13; machinists, 11; doctors, 4; manufacturers, 7; book-keepers, 6; farmers, 8; clerks, 6; director of art, 1; brass-founder, 1; pattern-maker, 1; watchmaker, 1; merchants, 6; dry-goods merchants, 7; cashier, 1; treasurer, 1; druggists, 4; dentists, 3; storekeepers, 3; glass-stainer, 1; compositor, 1; oil-merchant, 1; tailors, 2; painter, 1; publisher, 1; car-builder, 1; solar finisher, 1; city missionary, 1; gardeners, 2; jewellers, 5; sea-captain, 1; printer, 1; actors, 2; writer, 1; piano-maker, 1 ; piano-polisher, 1; artist, 1; hardware, 1; banker, 1; electrical instruments, 1; electrical light, 1; boots and shoes, 4; lawyers, 3; millwrights, 2; mechanical engineer, 1; builders, 3; reporter, 1; agent, 1; surveyors, 2; stone-cutters, 3; stucco-worker, 1; lithographer, 1; mason, 1; carriage-trimming, 1; contractor, 1; United States Navy, 1; housekeepers, 2; photographers, 4; wood-carver, 1; ship-builder, 1. Total given, 165; not given, 30: total, 195.

Number of diplomas at graduation as art masters and art mistresses :

There had been some things in the conduct of the school which made certain changes in its personnel highly desirable. At the close of the school-year some changes were made. Others arose voluntarily. Mr. Vonnoh resigned that he might study art abroad. Miss Mary Carter, to the regret of the Board of Visitors, surrendered her situation to return to her native land. Miss Mercy A. Bailey, who had devoted many years to the same and kindred work, succeeded to Miss Carter's labors, and is proving faithful and successful.

Mr. Vonnoh's duties were devolved upon Mr. A. H. Munsell, who is exhibiting much enthusiasm in his work. In several respects his methods are original, and secure the closest attention of his class. In addition to his position as instructor, he holds also that of curator. So far from these duties being incompatible, the arrangement is proving eminently satisfactory; not only are the duties of the office of curator promptly discharged, but certain important arrearages in the work belonging to the office are being brought up. The new arrangement in this respect has also greatly contributed to the good order of the school. The curator is at his office some time before the school-sessions begin; the pupils call for whatever books, copies, or models they will need during the session. In case of any important omission, the teacher goes to the office, and supplies the deficiency. Thus the disorder of the former arrangement is entirely avoided. Not only is no practical inconvenience experienced from the closing of the office during the afternoons when the curator is giving his lectures, but it is practically closed to the school during the forenoons as well, leaving the curator uninterrupted in the discharge of his manifold duties. Both economy and the general welfare of the school are thus secured.

The work of one other teacher remained to be provided for. With the exception of the Normal Lectures, this work was divided between Mr. Otto Fuchs and Mr. Walter F. Brackett. These gentlemen had been long employed in the school in more advanced work of the same general character. Their instruction had been uniformly satisfactory. Of high character, modest bearing, and entire integrity, they would carry forward the work, it was believed, which is but preparatory to that in which they were already engaged, in a manner equally satisfactory. This expectation is fully realized. The work referred to is in Class A, and is good work. There is a just distribution of

instruction, a straightforward helpfulness, and an earnest desire for the equal progress of all, producing the happiest results with the pupils, both in their tone of feeling and in their practical success. The work of Class A has never been better. In some respects it excels that of the preceding year. One element in this success probably is a higher ability in the members of the class.

The Normal Lectures are given by Mr. Charles M. Carter, a graduate of the school, whose instruction in the teachers' institutes had called attention to his special fitness for such work. He is amply fulfilling the expectation of the visitors. Beyond his labors in the school he assists at the institutes, and supplements their work by visiting such cities and towns as desire his aid in reviving and extending an interest in industrial drawing. He lectures to teachers, under the direction and with the cooperation of the local committees, suggests the best methods of advancing the work, and seeks to promote a higher estimate of its value. As some little time is requisite to arrange such labors, and set the wheels in motion, not much can yet be said of results; but, if this method of work shall be approved, a satisfactory harvest is confidently predicted.

The duties of the principal and of the other teachers — Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Patten, and Miss Hoyt - remain unchanged. The various subordinate instructors and employees are working harmoniously together, and, so far as depends upon them, securing good feeling throughout the school.

A. A. MINER,
CHAS. B. RICE,
E. B. STODDARD,
ABBY W. MAY,

Visitors.

BOSTON, Dec. 1, 1881.

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