The Next Generation of Change-Makers 2
FAST FACTS
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STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
3k+ 476 TOTAL STUDENTS
Build your style and practice in one of the country’s most creative cities. At Pacific Northwest College of Art, we prepare our students for careers in the arts by equipping them with the technical expertise, meaningful connections, and creative curiosity they need to thrive. Portland’s culture of makers and creative innovators offers the ideal environment
for our students to connect with a wide range of working artists and designers, visit museums and galleries, and immerse themselves in the lifestyle of professional creatives. Engaging with Portland’s thriving arts scene encourages our students to become socially conscious creators. At PNCA, aspiring artists and designers will not just refine their creative skills, but will come to understand how and why art is a vital part of our society – and where their voice fits. Our deep ties to the local arts community allow students to make connections, setting them up for a wide range of creative careers.
ALUMNI WORLDWIDE
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AVERAGE CLASS SIZE By integrating a liberal arts education with studio practice, we offer a highvalue college experience and empower our students to be innovative and think critically about their creative work and the world around them. Students learn to contextualize their art and design within historical tradition and modern trends. And they explore the ways that art can impact their communities and play a role in building a more equitable future. At PNCA, you will find more than a school. You will find a creative community.
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Pursue Your Passion There are no lecture halls at PNCA.
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All of our programs rely on a studiobased curriculum that allows students to focus on developing their practice. Classes are kept small to foster a collaborative environment and allow students and faculty to become familiar
with and respond to one another’s work. Our instructors are working artists and designers with a wealth of experience and connections and are committed to encouraging the talent of the next generation.
Majors
Animated Arts Creative Writing Graphic Design Illustration Interaction Design Intermedia
Painting & Drawing Photography Printmaking Sculpture Studio Arts
Minors
2D Animation
Painting & Drawing
Art & Ecology
Photography
Art History
Printmaking
Ceramics
Stop-Motion
Creative Writing
User Experience & User Interface Design (UX/UI)
Fashion Game Graphic Design
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Working in a tight-knit creative community like PNCA, we’re constantly surrounded by art, ideas, and people that shape our creative processes and hone our work. — Lottie-Maude Caldwell, ’27, Intermedia
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FOUR YEAR FLOW
Year One
Year Two + Three
Foundation Year
Sophomore & Junior Year
Your first year at PNCA is characterized by exploration, skill-building, and discovery. You will engage with all kinds of media from drawing to digital design, helping you choose your major and begin developing your creative practice.
These years will be spent taking classes in your chosen major and minors. By focusing on developing studio habits, students build a sustainable creative practice and the ability to think critically about their work and the role of art in general.
Year Four Senior Year The final year is centered around your thesis. During this year, you will have the time, support, and resources you need to plan and produce a project or body of work – including your own studio space and one-on-one mentorship.
BFA Thesis Week Thesis During the first semester of your senior year, you will present your thesis proposal to a faculty panel for approval. Panelists will offer feedback and discuss your proposal with you, helping you get on track to create your strongest work. The entire PNCA community comes together during BFA Thesis Week to support the seniors as they present their ideas.
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Animated Arts Animation is where fine art meets digital technology and at PNCA, our students have the support and resources to become well-versed in both. In our Animated Arts Lab, students gain experience working with 2D and 3D animation for a variety of genres from nonfiction documentaries to video games. Courses allow students to work independently and collaboratively to create animation projects.
Creative Writing We consider language to be one of many tools available to modern writers. Because we offer a creative writing program within the context of an arts school, we challenge our students to integrate visual art into their writing. PNCA writers explore a wide range of genres, consider the role and possibilities of storytelling in today’s world, and develop a sustainable writing practice they can carry into their careers long after graduation.
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Graphic Design Graphic design is one of the most flexible and widely-applicable creative mediums, being utilized in many different industries. PNCA students can prepare for real-world design work through our Center for Design, our student-staffed professional design studio. Through Center for Design, students gain handson experience in design, art direction, and project management while working for real clients such as adidas, Mercy Corps, and Pendleton.
Illustration Pursue a creative medium that merges storytelling with image-making. Illustrators provide visual narration for everything from video games and graphic novels to branding materials and designs for companies in a variety of industries. Our Wacom Lab, Digital Fine Art Printing Lab, and Creative Technology Lab offer our students top-of-the-line equipment and workspaces to develop their craft and gain professional experience.
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Interaction Design
Intermedia
Interaction Design shapes how people experience the world, from apps and digital products to physical spaces, services, and technologies that don’t quite exist yet. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to take an idea from sketch to prototype, test it, and present a portfolio that opens doors in UI/UX, product design, interaction design, and creative technology.
Develop a creative practice that integrates a variety of mediums. The Intermedia program is designed to allow room for students to employ emerging techniques and mediums into their creative practice, pushing the boundaries of art and design. From combining analog and digital methods to exploring the use of technology in creative work, intermedia students are often driven to innovate an entirely new style.
Painting & Drawing
Photography
In PNCA’s Painting and Drawing program, students develop their sense of shape, movement, color, and balance in visual art. Students can connect with visiting artists, participate in critiques, and take advantage of our on-campus studios to become stronger artists and discover their unique style. Whether students wish to explore traditional painting and drawing techniques or incorporate multimedia elements into their practice, we offer the support and resources they need.
As one of today’s most dynamic visual mediums, modern photography is about challenging tradition. PNCA’s industry-standard labs and studios, including a darkroom, digital print studio, and lighting studio, provide students with the chance to develop professional-grade skills. From revitalizing analog methods to exploring digital techniques, our students are encouraged to consider the range of possibilities photography presents.
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Printmaking In the printmaking program, students can explore traditional and contemporary printing processes. PNCA’s professional print publishing program, Watershed, offers students the unique opportunity to work alongside working print masters. This program allows students to develop their printmaking skills, gain insight about printmaking as a career, and connect with established artists.
Sculpture Our many 3D labs and studios allow students to experiment with different sculpture mediums as they develop their signature style. Sculpture students have the option to work with a variety of materials including metal, wood, clay, stone, fabric, and plastic and even incorporate digital elements into their pieces. Opportunities to exhibit work and connect with artists and curators helps students prepare for their postgraduation careers.
Studio Arts Multifaceted artists can build skills in a wide range of creative mediums to develop a well-rounded practice. The Studio Arts program allows students to put equal focus on many different materials and creative processes, building proficiency in a variety of skills and giving them more flexibility in their careers. Students take classes across disciplines and are able to dedicate their studio time to their varied interests.
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Having working professionals among my faculty and colleagues has been a game-changer. My artistic practice and understanding of the world evolves with every class, conversation, and experience at PNCA. — Ashley Arthur Pham, ’27, Painting & Drawing
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Animated Arts Lab Creative Technology Lab Digital Print Studio Documentation Studio Gilkey Center for Printmaking Glass Building: 3D Workshops Media Resource Center Painting Studios Photography Lab Print Production Center Riso Studio Sound Lab Wacom Lab
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Labs + Galleries + Studios Our commitment to removing barriers between departments extends to our facilities. As a PNCA student, you will have access to every lab, studio, and piece of equipment, regardless of your major. This approach fosters experimentation and creative exploration, empowering our students to develop a style that is entirely their own.
These on-campus resources support a wide range of techniques, mediums, and processes – and allow our students to gain experience working with professional-grade equipment. The Gilkey Center for Printmaking is one of the best-equipped academic printmaking studios in the country and the Glass Building houses our 3D workshops which include a woodshop, metals shop, soft sculpture studio, sewing room, and ceramics studio. In addition to workspaces and labs, the PNCA campus houses personal studio spaces and 11 galleries where student work is exhibited year-round.
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Build Connections Around the World An integral part of pursuing a creative education is broadening your perspective. The Office of International Education facilitates international learning opportunities that can supplement
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your studies from study abroad to collaborations and on-campus multicultural experiences. Immersing yourself in diverse cultures will allow you to engage with a wide range of creative communities and explore art history and traditions from around the world. Studying abroad can help you shape your own creative practice and gain new insight on the
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role of art in our world. With the option to choose between short-term and semester-long study abroad programs, you can pursue an international experience in your own timeframe. The PNCA Global Learning and Diversity Development (GLADD) and other WU scholarships can make international learning on a study abroad program more accessible.
I returned changed, navigating growth I was just catching up to. — Crimson Ravarra, ’24, Intermedia
Exchange Partner Locations Belgium Canada China France Hong Kong Ireland Italy Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Northern Ireland Norway Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
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A Connected Campus Whether you want to engage deeper with your art or you’re looking to pursue a separate hobby, student organizations are a great way to supplement your PNCA experience.
On-campus clubs cover a range of interests that both incorporate and go beyond our academic programs. Student organizations offer the opportunity to connect with like-minded students and develop new skills with peers beyond the classroom. Because any student can start their own group or club, new organizations are being formed all the time.
Student Organizations include: 2D Animation Club Board Game Club Earth Works Club Hyphen Zine Publications Glass Club J-Fashion Club PNCA Photography Club Radish Film Society Sculpture Club Skate Club Sound Club Stop Mo Club Students of Color Collective Zine Club
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An Engaged Community Recent Visiting Artists Jeremy Okai Davis Deborah Freedman Rodrigo Valenzuela Amanda Ross-Ho Catherine Taft Abigail Susik Nina Elder Vanessa German Dr. Christopher Ian Foster Dr. Carmen P. Thompson Dee Clements Michael Brenner
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PNCA plays a vital role in the local arts community, serving as a front porch for creative and cultural discussion in Portland. We bring together people from across Portland and beyond though regularly scheduled events including artist talks, exhibitions, and workshops. These events facilitate connection between established and aspiring artists and members of the community.
First Thursday We maintain PNCA’s position as a cultural center through the public program First Thursday Art Walks. By collaborating with our neighbors in the North Park Blocks and welcoming members of the public, we foster community engagement and vitalize local businesses and makers.
PNCA nurtures a community full of people from all backgrounds. — Mal Woodward, ’27, Animated Arts 19
Life at ArtHouse
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YOUR NEW PORTLAND HOME
ArtHouse is PNCA’s eco-friendly student housing.
entry system and bicycle parking area. Campus Safety officers are available 24 hours a day to provide escorts to and from campus, ArtHouse, parked vehicles, and the nearest TriMet stop.
Located just a short distance from campus, ArtHouse was designed around the culture and community of our student body. The building features a communal study area and student galleries on every floor, facilitating student engagement and connection.
Find Your Place
One residence life team member is assigned per floor so students have reliable support where they live. ArtHouse is also equipped with a secure
Room Options Shared studio Shared bedroom in multi-bedroom unit Private bedroom in multi-bedroom unit Private studio
ArtHouse offers several rooming options to meet the preferences of our students and create the living environment most suited to their needs. New residents are asked to fill out a Lifestyles & Likings questionnaire to find a roommate or be matched by housing staff. Every unit, regardless of size or floor plan, includes amenities to make life away from home a little easier.
Features Fully furnished In-unit washer and dryer Full kitchen Fiber optic ethernet Standard utilities included
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Career Support Internships Adobe Argyle Winery Building 5 Dark Horse Comics HILOS ILY2 Portland LAIKA OMFGCO PICA Polara Studios Porsche Studio Portland Portland Festival of Animation and Technology Portland Trail Blazers Radius Art Rose City Comic Con Seattle Art Museum Textile Hive Wieden + Kennedy
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The Office of Career Design is here to help you turn art into a sustainable career. Throughout the year, the Office of Career Design brings industry experts and alumni to campus to speak with our students and share about their professional experience. Our guest speakers include creative directors who have worked on films for Netflix and Paramount and the producer of popular shows such as Portlandia. These events offer industry insights and networking opportunities for students with a wide range of professional goals, whether you want to be an independent artist or work for a major brand.
Programs offered by the Office of Career Design include: • Freelance Fridays. Workshops that cover topics ranging from how to start a business and marketing to contracts and building sustainable client relationships. These events are led by industry professionals, faculty, and alumni. • Industry Nights. Networking events centered around themes such as, “Creative Connect: Advertising & Branding in Portland” and “How Big Brands Operate,” led by an alum with work experience at Lululemon, Sorel, and adidas. You can also take advantage of resources such as one-on-one career advising, interview coaching, and searching for internships.
Where do students work after graduating? adidas
Deep Sky
Liquid Development
Adobe
HAPPYLUCKY
Nike
Bent Image Lab
Intel
Portland Art Museum
Blizzard Entertainment
Kamp Grizzly
Wacom
Columbia Sportswear
LAIKA
Wieden + Kennedy
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Financing Your PNCA Education We are committed to making an arts education financially accessible. Through a range of financial aid opportunities including scholarships, grants, work study, and loans, our students are able to finance their degrees and receive a life-changing education.
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Every admitted student is automatically considered for financial support. PNCA offers need-based and merit-based scholarships to offset barriers and recognize the achievements of our admitted students. Be sure to fill out your FAFSA to maximize your financial aid package. The Financial Aid Office is here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the financial aid process.
Uncertain about how much a PNCA education will cost? Use our Net Price Calculator to take out some of the guesswork. The calculator will give you an estimate of how much state and federal funding you can expect to receive. go.willamette.edu/pnca-aid-info
Securing Your Financial Aid Package Apply for admission to PNCA Complete the FAFSA Receive initial merit-based aid offer
Contact Us 503-370-6273 finaid@willamette.edu
Receive your full financial aid award letter, including scholarship, grants, work study, and loans Review your award letter with your counselor in-person or virtually
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How To Apply 26
Preparing Your Portfolio Your portfolio is your opportunity to make a statement and show the admissions team who you are as an artist or designer. We encourage applicants to be mindful about choosing their strongest pieces and demonstrating their range and interests.
Portfolio Requirements The portfolio should include 10-15 images or files and can include drawing, painting, sculpture, video, sound, animation, film, photography, graphic design, or any other creative medium. Every student’s portfolio must include at least one observational drawing. Transfer students must submit work relevant to their intended major. Students interested in the Creative Writing program will need to submit writing samples in addition to their visual arts portfolio.
Required Online application Portfolio Artist statement Official Transcripts
Optional AP scores Letters of recommendation
Early Application Deadline Fall: November 15th Spring: November 1st
Priority Deadline February 1st
Start Your Application go.willamette.edu/apply-pnca
Visit Us We welcome all prospective students to visit our campus and see what we have to offer in person. You’ll get to see our labs and studios, chat with current students, and meet with a member of our admissions team to learn more about our programs, application process, financial aid, and more. We also offer portfolio reviews. Tours are offered every weekday in morning and afternoon sessions. Schedule your visit today at go.willamette.edu/pnca-visit
Office of Admissions 503-821-8972 pncaadmissions@willamette.edu
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Office of Admissions Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design 511 NW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97209 pnca.willamette.edu
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS PNCA admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.