Your BFA Starts at PNCA
If “I’ll finish my portfolio later” has been your mantra, consider this your friendly nudge. The priority deadline is coming up soon, and this is a great moment to refine your artist statement, tidy up your application, and share the work you’re most proud of.
Apply by Feb. 1
Apply to PNCA by February 1 to be considered for Fall 2026 admission and an automatic $500 renewable scholarship if you’re admitted (on top of any additional merit scholarships you may receive). This is your chance to claim your place in PNCA’s creative community and get a little extra financial support for bringing your vision here.
Portland Is Where You Start Building Your Career
At PNCA, Portland is your backdrop. It’s your studio. Your network. Your launchpad. This is where artists do more than dream. They go to work.
Portland Works for Creatives
At PNCA, you’re embedded in one of the most creatively charged cities in the country. You'll walk to galley openings, hop on transit to internships, and meet mentors over espresso or mural walls. From the The Time-Based Art Festival to hikes in Forest Park, Portland’s energy becomes part of your practice and your future.
Burnout Is Out. Wellness Is In.
The old-school model of art education glorified overwork, exhaustion, isolation, and self-neglect, all dressed up as “commitment.” It’s as if suffering were a rite of passage.
At PNCA, we're done with that. We’re reimagining what creative work looks like when it’s rooted in wellness, community, and long-term impact.
Your Creativity and Well-Being Flourish Together
At PNCA, success isn’t about survival, it’s about growth. We nurture your talent, strengthen your career resilience, and equip you with responsive skills to thrive in the studio, the workplace, and the world. An arts education should expand your well-being, not diminish it.
Our programs
Explore PNCA
Visit Our Campus
A visit is the best way to immerse yourself in our vibrant campus and city. Come by for a campus tour, and an admissions counselor will help review your portfolio ahead of your application.
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