What does the phrase World Makers mean to you?
First and foremost, it’s about our students, who pursue courageous ideas, imagine bold futures, act responsibly, and work incredibly hard. World Makers encompasses both the power of their individual creative visions and the impact they manifest across disciplines, in their communities, and throughout the world. Our theme also celebrates everyone in the Pratt community who contributes to the challenging, rigorous environment here—the faculty, staff, alumni, families, and donors who support students’ efforts to make their way in the world.
How will the campaign elevate Pratt as an institution?
We’ve structured the campaign to align with the vision articulated in Setting the Standard, our strategic plan, which focuses on sustaining our leadership among creative institutions by advancing Pratt’s academic innovation, financial health, and institutional resilience. Achieving that vision will require philanthropic investments that make a Pratt education more accessible, strengthen the level of support for our faculty, and enhance our campus in ways that foster creative excellence.
How does World Makers honor Pratt’s legacy while positioning the Institute for the future?
Pratt was founded at the onset of the Second Industrial Revolution to provide a high-quality creative education for working-class students. Charles Pratt’s original vision was both radical and extremely durable: it lives on in our current mission, which centers on educating the artists and creative professionals whose innovative spirit shapes the world we live in as resourceful and compassionate global problem solvers.
The advent of AI signals the onset of another potential revolution—and Pratt is at the forefront of exploring how those new technologies can be ethically and responsibly applied to enhance our students’ creativity. At the same time, Pratt holds fast to its emphasis on the tactile, emotional, and social aspects of the creative process: if you’re going to be a World Maker, you have to be conscious of the impact your creativity has on the physical world.
How is Pratt unique?
Our location is a big part of that. We’re in a world-class city that’s one of the leading centers of the global creative economy. The creative explosion that’s taken place in Brooklyn has positioned us to lead in providing students with a cutting-edge education in the beautiful environment of a campus and public sculpture garden.
Pratt is anchored in the real world. Because our faculty members are also renowned practitioners, they draw on their own experiences as they prepare students for success in creative fields. Their journeys are shared; they prepare our students and create paths to practice.
How is the campaign personal for you?
When I’m out in the world people say things like, “I love your students. When they are sent out on a job, they know what to do—they have incredible confidence, enough to actually be able to ask if they don’t know something—and they know a lot.” That’s a great benefit of being a school focused on practice.
I remember a conversation I had with a student I encountered on campus who was continuously smiling. When I asked her why, she replied, “I’ve finally found a place where I don’t have to explain myself.” That’s what World Makers is all about.
Charles Pratt’s original vision lives on in our current mission, which centers on educating the artists and creative professionals who shape the world we live in.
President Frances Bronet