Office of the President
About Laura Freid
A leader in arts advocacy, Dr. Laura Freid is in her ninth year as President of Maine College of Art & Design.
Dr. Laura Freid Ed.D is the President of Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) and an experienced leader in higher education and the arts. Currently in her ninth year as President, Dr. Freid has over two decades of executive experience across higher education, publishing, and arts nonprofits. Her career has centered on art, design, and creative education.
Under Dr. Freid’s stewardship, the College has undergone significant growth, including fundraising efforts that have secured more than $20 million and a tripling of the endowment’s market value. Interest in the College has also rapidly climbed, with an 82% increase in BFA applications between 2016 and 2023, along with an 88% increase in MFA enrollments. In 2025, Freid oversaw the launch of three online programs, including an online Master of Arts in Education graduate degree and two graduate certificate programs. This success has been guided by her strategic plan, Envisioning Our Future 2027, which outlines MECA&D’s path to create a new learning center and broaden its reach while building a sustainable financial plan for the coming decades.
Previously, Dr. Freid served as CEO and Executive Director of Silkroad, the organization that presents performances by Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, initiating affiliations with Harvard University and the Rhode Island School of Design and positioning Silkroad as a major international arts organization. She was executive director of the acclaimed Emmy-nominated documentary, The Music of Strangers. Their signature album “Sing Me Home” won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Under her leadership, Silkroad organized a yearlong celebration of the arts in Chicago and brought together artists and business leaders to influence cultural entrepreneurship. Her earlier experience in higher education includes eight years as executive vice president of Brown University and seven years as publisher of Harvard Magazine and Executive Director of the Ivy League Magazine Network. She started her publishing career as a writer, editor and then publisher of Bostonia Magazine.
Dr. Freid graduated with an AB in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis and holds an M.B.A. from Boston University and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2018, she received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University.
Strategic Plan: Envisioning Our Future 2027
Maine College of Art & Design's Strategic Plan builds on our historic positioning in Portland’s arts district, a shared strategic vision, and proven ability to embrace change.
Maine College of Art & Design aims to cultivate high standards in teaching and learning, be recognized for students' cultural contributions, and be an educational leader with a relevant and inclusive curriculum.
Develop a Culture of Equity and Belonging
Maine College of Art & Design is committed to equity and belonging, as well as cultivating artists who are agents of change and connect our community to the world in meaningful ways.
Broaden Our Reach: Online Learning and New Programs
Maine College of Art & Design will develop new programming to educate students and designers through online, hybrid, and in-person modalities, expand its community, generate revenue, and ensure future adaptability.
Create Living and Learning Centers
Maine College of Art & Design will develop a concept for living and learning facilities that aligns with our mission and values, providing students with resources to become lifelong artists while preserving educational space in Portland.
Maine College of Art & Design aims to achieve long-term financial sustainability through the development of a financial framework and revenue-focused strategic priorities.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees at Maine College of Art & Design plays a crucial role in guiding the institution towards its mission and vision.
Comprised of dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds, the Board provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the College's continued growth and development. Their expertise and commitment contribute to the overall health and success of the College, and help shape the future of arts education.
Media
Maine Home + Design: The Future of Design, According to Dr. Laura Freid
Laura Freid, President of Maine College of Art & Design, was interviewed for the September issue of Maine Home + Design, in which she discusses the dynamic landscape of art and design. “Future designers must be creative, adaptive, flexible, and receptive to new ideas, technologies, and cultural mores," says Freid. "Designers will continue to understand that collaboration is critical, and the process of research and iteration will always be necessary."
Down East Magazine: Where the Buffs Roam
We asked 10 art-world luminaries to share the under-the-radar places where they find great Maine art.
Discovering art in such unexpected nooks is “part of what makes Maine so special,” says Paul Sacaridiz, executive director of Deer Isle’s Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. “People are intentionally creating spaces to show art in the communities, and artists don’t have to rely on one particular museum or art dealer to gain exposure.”
WMTW8: Fashion show by art students, for art students
"From the classroom, to the catwalk. Students at Maine College of Art & Design put on a fashion show for a cause. Graduating seniors designed and created the looks."
Mainebiz: Maine College of Art & Design's focus: Teaching artists how to be 'creative entrepreneurs
"At the time of her appointment, Freid cited Maine College of Art & Design and Portland as "an exciting American center for the arts, culture and entrepreneurship." A year in, Mainebiz caught up with Freid to learn more about her vision of art and entrepreneurship and how that's playing out under her tenure."
Maine Magazine: 50 Mainers Balancing Heritage and Progress
"Freid said she feels fortunate to be leading the Maine College of Art & Design at a time when Portland is “just realizing its true potential.” Design is also becoming more and more integral to everyday life. “I think design is everything. We’re living in a world that’s becoming increasingly visual. Everything we do, even conversations we’re having, is based on how we see things."
Portland Press Herald: Maine College of Art & Design's new President sees Arts Education as key to navigating an ever-changing world
"Laura Freid has a résumé peppered with Ivy League schools that led to a globe-trotting job with a world-famous musician, which she left to become the newest president of Maine College of Art & Design."