2026/27 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Dakota Houck

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

I decided to come to MCAD for many reasons. One reason was that I felt a smaller school would allow for me to have a deeper connection with my teachers and fellow students to get better feedback and all around a better college experience.

How/why did you choose your area of study

I love Photography because every time I take a photograph there is a chance that everything aligns perfectly; timing, lighting, framing, to capture the perfect moment

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

My favorite thing so far has been the creative freedom I have here. I’ve been allowed to do things I would have never dreamed of while attending MCAD.

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

I submitted recent photographic series that I thought displayed proper understanding of both the subjects and the craft. All of the series also had a direct emotional link to myself personally which is honestly the reason I love photography so much, it lets me express things I don’t know how to any other way.

What inspires your creative self?

What inspires my creative self is the chance to make something that really connects with people and makes them think just a little deeper about themselves or the world around them.

What's next for your practice? Anything you're really excited to make?

I am revisiting California this Summer so I would like to do an extension of my first California series that I made a few years ago with new knowledge from having been at MCAD.

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?

I think I once found whole new set of watercolors.

Dakota Houck, Burst of Life