Explore endless possibilities through PNCA's Studio Arts BFA. Focus on a range of materials and processes while developing skills across a variety of studio art practices.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major
121
4 Years
Portland
In addition to galleries and exhibition spaces, the art of Paola De La Cruz BFA'20 can be found in several locations across Oregon. As a public artist, she has created murals for businesses and residential buildings, allowing her to share stories of joy and peace throughout the community.
The resources and opportunities available through PNCA helped Paola launch her creative career. Networking led to an internship with Willamette Week during her senior year, and her thesis advisor connected her with her first client post-graduation - Imagine Black. These connections led to further job opportunities with creative organizations.
PNCA offers student-run galleries and project spaces for student exhibitions. You can also install your work throughout the public areas of the building. Grow and learn from other artists in the community. View student work from our Studio Arts BFA program.
The Studio Arts major offers you broad exposure to the studio arts with a focus on materials and processes. Our graduates go on to impact industries around the world.
Changing lives with art
While at PNCA, Steph Littlebird discovered the power of speaking truth through art. She has utilized this to give voice to the Native American community as a writer and curator for the Oregon Arts Watch series Indigenous Resilience in Oregon, and illustrator for the children's book My Powerful Hair.
PNCA graduate partners with Microsoft
PNCA graduate Tabor Robak has been commissioned by Microsoft to develop a work of scale for the facade of their flagship store on 5th Avenue. Robak's works have been acquired by a number of major museums including The Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Our faculty are more than just mentors; they're acclaimed artists. Work side-by-side with successful art and design professionals to create masterpieces. Students can also connect with visiting artists and meet workshop leaders to find inspiration.
Kristin P Bradshaw, PNCA's Associate Professor and Chair of BFA Creative Writing, explores poetic expression through various mediums. With degrees from Yale University, Brown University, and Converse College, her students are encouraged to explore writing through investigation and observation.
Department Chair Matthew Letzelter is a master printer and artist who explores his practice through works on paper, print, paintings, and photography with a focus on abstracted landscapes. Matthew utilizes his experience as an educator and professional printer to inspire his students.
Our Studio Arts BFA embraces choice, artistic freedom, and expression. Explore studio courses, liberal arts courses, and creative arts courses to become a well-rounded artist.
Refine your professional strategies, enrich your portfolio, and align your creative endeavors with your future aspirations and goals. You'll emerge with a resource archive and visual and verbal presentation skills. Connect your education to your professional or postgraduate pursuits.
Create a major piece of work that showcases your artistic growth and deep understanding of your craft. Combine your vision and research to demonstrate your contextual awareness. You'll present this work, highlighting your skills and insights, during BFA Senior Thesis Week events.
Our Studio Arts degree requires 121 credits to complete. This includes: 76 in studio, 30 in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and 15 in Art History. Of the studio credits, 16 are required courses in the Foundation program, at least 36 are the required courses in the studio major, and the remainder are available for studio electives. A minimum two-year residency at the College is required.
Our Studio Arts program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about PNCA’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.
Most students receive financial aid, ranging from scholarship opportunities to federal work-study and need-based grants and loans. PNCA also considers studio arts students for full-tuition scholarships. PNCA is committed to a better future by providing fair and equitable admission processes. The Studio Arts program automatically considers all students applying for merit-based scholarships. We offer additional scholarships, some of which include separate applications.
Willamette University