A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in studio art can support careers in art-making, exhibition installation, arts administration, fabrication, and community arts education.
Studio art may be a good fit if you enjoy making visual work and experimenting with different materials. You should also enjoy discussing your ideas and revising your work after feedback. Look for a program with the courses, facilities, and professional experiences that support your goals. You should also think about whether you want an intensive studio education.
A BFA in studio art can be worth it if you want to build your skills and develop a professional portfolio. The value of the degree also depends on its cost and what you get from the program. Look for opportunities to work in professional studios, learn from faculty, develop your portfolio, and gain experience through internships or exhibitions. Consider how those opportunities fit with the type of work you want to pursue after graduation.
Artists may combine several sources of income, including commissions, sales of original work, illustration projects, teaching, and employment in studios or arts organizations. Building an independent practice involves both making work and managing its business side, like finding clients, pricing projects, communicating expectations, promoting work, and meeting deadlines. Income can vary, and some artists maintain other employment while developing their practice.
Take advantage of the printmaking lab, 3D fabrication shops, Riso machines, and large format printers. Studio Arts majors can access all the labs and studios on campus. Build skills with an oversized kiln, a welding and metalworking area, and even our glass kiln. Take advantage of the Lighting Studio or experiment with the Creative Technology Lab.
No matter where you are in your art practice, PNCA will help you connect your studio work to career outcomes. Students are required to take applied creative practices courses. Consider internship opportunities or join workshops related to CVs, grant writing, professional portfolios, taxes, contracts, copyright, and even accounting for artists. Explore creative paths while also understanding how to build your creative practice.
Build real-world connections with the art community. Showcase your work at First Thursdays, participate in the Portland Winter Light Festival, or install work at one of our student-run galleries. Consider selling your art at a pop-up shop or participating in a talk with a visiting artist. You can gain inspiration from professors who will also help you learn how to break into the creative world.
Whether you're interested in woodworking or painting, our program encourages interdisciplinary growth. Take courses in Creative Writing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Intermedia, or Painting and Drawing to pursue your interests. Our professors will help you test out ideas, help you shape your creative practice, and build your skills.
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