Photography

Establish a disciplined individual creative practice where conceptual intent is aligned with formal choices. Develop a personal voice through a rigorous practice rooted in research, writing, and an expansive understanding of the photographic medium.

Situate work within a historic and contemporary artistic and social context. Consider the language of photography as a tool for social justice and cultural analysis, and examine the ethics and personal responsibility that comes with using a camera.

Move fluidly between digital and analog photographic practices, embrace a multitude of approaches, or use photography to engage in a dialog with other media.

Develop robust technical skill sets in capture, editing and presentation that are aligned with industry standards in both commercial and fine art fields of photography.

Produce and showcase work in a portfolio format: in a sequenced series, online, in print form, and accompanied by a clear project statement. Explore formats, platforms and strategies to reach target audiences.

Foundation Year

A time to explore

In your Foundation Year, you’ll be immersed from day one in media and making of all kinds from drawing, design, and sculpture, to digital tools, video, and performance. It’s a year of discovery, a time to explore new ways of thinking and making, meet new friends, and get to know your new community.

Thesis

Preparing for graduation

Your senior year is an exciting time of tranistion from student to working artist or designer. The focus of your senior year is conceiving a thesis project of your own design and producing it with the support of faculty, your peers, and a mentor who works with you one-on-one.

Areas of Study

Freedom to focus

PNCA offers ten undergraduate majors, all of which offer you choices in your electives and liberal arts courses. This means that whatever your major, you have the freedom to focus many of your course choices around your particular area of interest. We've outlined the following Areas of Study to give you a sense of the scope of courses available at PNCA.

Liberal Arts

Fortify your intellectual foundation

Liberal Arts courses round out your education, helping you become a more thoughtful, well-rounded artist or designer. Explore widely or select your courses to focus on one of what we call Areas of Study.