​He claims he did it for art, but his theft was very real.

​The former MIT professor who videotaped himself robbing banks as part of ​what he called an “art ​project” ​took a plea deal Monday in Manhattan court.

Joseph Gibbons, 62, copped to burglary in the third degree in exchange for one year in jail.

“On or about December 31 of last year, you forcibly stole property – is that true?” asked Justice Laura Ward.

“Yes, Your Honor,” he answered, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a serious expression.

Prosecutors requested one to three years which would have landed the eccentric professor in state prison, but Justice Laura Ward offered the more lenient sentence.

On New Year’s Eve, Gibbons walked into a Capitol One branch in Chinatown with a camcorder and politely handed the teller a note demanding a donation for his church, according to court documents. He made off with $1,002, which was later recovered.

He staged a similar stick-up in Rhode Island in November, making off with $3,000 in cash, authorities said.

“He was idiosyncratic in the most charming of ways,” said former student Maxim Pozdorovkin who appeared in court Monday to show his support.

“I love his films, I’m a big fan.”

Pozdorovkin, who has directed several documentaries including HBO’s “Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer,” took Gibbon’s course at MIT in 2007.

Defense lawyer Eric Williams said that Gibbon’s is holding up in jail.

“He’s an artist and sometimes it’s hard to read an artist but he’s remained a class act throughout,” he said.

Gibbons has already been locked up 5 months and with credit for good behavior could be sprung as early as September.

He’s due back in court for sentencing July 13.