MFA apologizes for racist comments, treatment of Dorchester students on field trip

BOSTON — The Museum of Fine Arts is apologizing after students at a local charter school say they were profiled and harassed during a field trip.

Last week, a large group of seventh grade students from the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester visited the MFA and according to the Boston Globe, students and administrators said they were subjected to racist and disparaging comments from MFA staff and patrons during the visit.

In an open letter on its website, the MFA said the students "encountered a range of challenging and unacceptable experiences that made them feel unwelcome." The museum committed to investigating the incident, saying: "We deeply regret any interactions that led to this outcome and are committed to being a place where all people trust that they will feel safe and treated with respect."

The school's principal told the Globe the group of 30 students felt unsafe during their visit.

The MFA has pledged to share the outcome of the investigation with the school.

Cox Media Group