Animated Arts
Combine fine art practices with digital technology—and reimagine ways to create frame-based work in a variety of contexts.
You have the vision. We have the space, supplies, materials and mentorship to help you bring your ideas to life.
BFA Degree Programs
Work under the guidance of talented faculty mentors. Not only are they top-notch teachers, but they also are active artists who care deeply about their craft—and your success.
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Graphic Design
Gain skills and knowledge that go beyond traditional graphic design as you prepare for creative careers in industries of all kinds.
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General Fine Arts
Work with a variety of materials and processes while developing multiple artistic competencies in this flexible program.
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Creative Writing
Explore language as a visual medium, experiment with storytelling in multiple genres and build your writing practice.
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Illustration
Blend technical and artistic skill in a program that prepares you for careers in traditional media and emerging tech.
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Intermedia
Design your own curriculum in an innovative program that harnesses the hybrid: traditional techniques + new applications.
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Painting
Master the use of painting and drawing materials, and then experiment widely as you lean into your own voice and vision.
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Photography
Uncover expansive ways of making images, from embracing the analog to mastering digital techniques and lighting strategies.
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Printmaking
Immerse yourself in the traditional and contemporary processes that emphasize craftsmanship and creative expression.
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Sculpture
Investigate a wide spectrum of structural methods as you follow your customized pathway into various 3D labs and studios.
Our Minors
Enrich your PNCA academic experience by adding a minor (or two). Deepen your understanding of the world around you, pick up new skills and knowledge, and explore new-to-you forms and mediums.
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Art & Ecology
Explore the intersection of art and environment—and how your creative work can impact and interact with a changing world.
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Art History
Discover the breadth of human creativity throughout the millennia—and how it reflected and influenced the culture of its time.
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Ceramics
Hone your clay sculpting or fabricating technique with courses such as Mold Making and Experimenting with Materials.
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Creative Writing
Incorporate writing into your visual work or learn about worldbuilding and character development as you explore poetry, fiction, and scriptwriting.
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Fashion
Delve into materials, construction, textiles, patterns, sketching and more as you consider fashion as an embedded aspect of contemporary society.
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Game
Learn about the philosophies, systems and mechanics of digital and analog games, as well as the communities and cultures surrounding this entertainment form.
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Graphic Design
Build fundamental skills and knowledge as you explore typography, iconography, visual systems, branding—and the overall process from ideation to final draft.
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Painting and Drawing
Support your creative practice by studying a universal exploratory medium. Sharpen your skills to use to translate your ideas to form, through courses like The Figure.
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Photography
Develop your foundational knowledge of photography, from composition and lighting to darkroom techniques; plus, learn how photos interact with other mediums.
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Stop Motion
Gain experience in a fast-growing, multidisciplinary field as you cover topics like puppet fabrication, prop sculpture, storyboarding and animation.
The Four-Year Flow
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Foundation Year
During this year of discovery, you’ll be immersed from day one in media of all kinds from drawing to digital design. -
Year Two + Three
Your sophomore and junior year will be full of courses from your chosen major and minors. You’ll develop professional skills and productive studio habits, while learning to think critically about your work.
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Senior Year
This is your thesis year. With your own dedicated studio space, you’ll plan and produce a significant body of work or creative project. During Focus Week, you’ll present to your peers and professionals.
Liberal Arts
PNCA's Liberal Arts courses are specifically designed for artists and designers, providing diverse perspectives, worldviews, and experiences that enrich a creative education. These courses expand your understanding of the world, encouraging students to explore and express complex ideas while building essential skills in communication and critical thinking.
"PNCA has so many resources and opportunities for you to really have your own grasp on your art education. Places like the Risograph printing lab or the Creative Design Lab have tools that you can make wild art whenever you want."
Camryn Clary
Painting ’26
Career-Focused Learning
Our BFA programs emphasize portfolio development and professional practice. And our Office of Career Design offers an array of services to help you find an internship, prepare for a job interview or connect with other artists and designers.
The Student Experience
Your time at PNCA is more than classes and studio time. You’ll also become part of a creative community that extends beyond campus and into Portland’s vibrant arts scene.
