Statement on PNCA Board Vote on Possible Merger with OCAC

December 14, 2018

MEDIA ALERT

December 14, 2018 – PORTLAND, OR -- Over the last three months, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC) have explored the potential of consolidating their two institutions. This morning, PNCA’s Board of Governors made the determination that a merger at this time is not a feasible option and voted to decline the opportunity with OCAC.

Both institutions entered these conversations with strong intention and dedicated rigor, engaging in an inclusive process that included faculty, staff and members of the board from both institutions. The PNCA community holds our colleagues at OCAC in high regard, recognizing their contribution fo the American Crafts movement, art education and the rich legacy of the arts and creativity in the Pacific Northwest. OCAC has stated its intention to remain dedicated to providing the highest level of arts education in the City of Portland and throughout the Pacific Northwest. We wish them only success in moving forward.

For 100+ years, PNCA has been recognized as a cultural leader, having played a pivotal role in the artistic landscape of the Pacific Northwest through art and design education, public lectures, exhibitions and access to community education. PNCA will continue to expand its creative legacy executing its strategy of growth and advancement with a focus on enrollment, fundraising and operations; building off of the success from this year’s local and national recruitment that yielded a record incoming freshman class to support a total enrollment of nearly 600 students – the largest student body in over a decade.

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