During the winter of 1984, Bart O'Connor, former Superintendent of the Attleboro Public Schools, called a meeting of area school superintendents and their arts coordinators. The purpose was to share information about the emerging Great Woods Performing Arts Center in Mansfield, MA. This group began to brainstorm possible collaborative plans to effectively make use of the Great Woods resources in order to impact arts education in area school districts. In the summer of 1986 the Southeastern Massachusetts Arts Collaborative, better known as SMARTS, began with a three week intensive program for dance, music, and visual arts students, grades 7-12. The excitement which resulted from the interaction between interested and motivated arts students and artists/educators, has blossomed into a year round, multifaceted organization.

SMARTS was "born" in 1986 with regional support from area school committees, their superintendents, and the Great Woods Performing Arts Center. This same support continues today because SMARTS has clearly demonstrated the critical role it plays in improving the quality and depth of the arts in education and community life in southeastern Massachusetts. SMARTS services include student and community programs and events; professional development for teachers and administrators; partnerships and alliances with local, regional, and state educational institutions and arts organizations; and strong advocacy for arts education in our schools.