Join a fine arts program that’s designed for serious makers looking to refine and expand their creative practice. Develop skills and connect with other artists in a deeply engaged community.
Master of Fine Arts
Graduate
60
2 Years
PNCA Campus
Our alumni have used the skills they've developed in our graduate degree program in a variety of ways. They have become exhibiting artists and vibrant members of the art community. Learn how our alumni are paving paths in the art world.
Delaney Allen's conceptual self-portraiture, still-life, and landscape photography have been exhibited and published globally. Allen was named one of Time Magazine's "51 Instagram Photographers To Follow" in 2016 and has worked with clients like Arrowhead, Domino Records, and WIRED. His first publication, Between Here And There, was awarded “Best Books Of 2010” by Photo-Eye Magazine.
Tabitha Nikolai, an artist, writer, educator, and organizer, leverages digital platforms to explore and challenge emergent media. She has exhibited recently at Ganka Gallery, Shoot the Lobster, and Vox Populi. She has upcoming shows at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and Western Oregon University.
Learn from a diverse group of artist-educators who specialize in a range of mediums and platforms—and whose works have been shown, shared, read, and reviewed around the world. Connect with visiting artists and experience one-on-one mentorship with our instructors to build a creative community.
Garrick Imatani, Associate Professor and Chair of the MFA in Visual Studies program at PNCA, is an internationally exhibited artist and recipient of numerous fellowships and grants. He brings diverse experience, from community education to higher ed, ensuring students gain practical skills and critical perspectives in contemporary art.
Teresa Christiansen, Associate Professor and Chair of Photography at PNCA, integrates her expertise in photography and psychology to foster student success. With extensive exhibition experience and a strong background in academic technology, she equips students with a comprehensive understanding of photographic studies and integrated technologies.
David Eckard, Associate Professor and Chair of Sculpture at PNCA, explores themes of futility, function, and queer masculinity through diverse materials and techniques. His work spans sculpture, performance, and installation, earning international exhibition and critical acclaim.
Your two years at PNCA will include a combination of dedicated studio time, contemporary art and critique seminars, critical studies and research courses, and electives of your choice. Our trips, residencies, and visiting artists programs are an extension of our curriculum. Our flexible program reflects contemporary culture and allows you to focus your creative practice in multiple disciplines for diverse audiences. Focus or combine mediums such as painting, installation, performance, digital fabrication, writing, ceramics, photography, printmaking, sculpture, sound, video, and AR/VR.
Join a dynamic community where you can refine and expand your artistic vision through weekly critiques and cross-disciplinary dialogue. Engage with artists, scholars, and critics, and participate in presentations that challenge conventional ideas and foster creative growth.
Immerse in contemporary art-making strategies and critical dialogues through engaging lectures, gallery visits, and guest speakers. Dive deep into the interconnected world of art and theory, exploring significant ideas while developing your research and presentation skills.
The MFA in Visual Studies requires time spent on studio work every semester as well as the completion of courses in Graduate Critique Seminar across multiple terms, a Contemporary Art Seminar, and a Critical Studies course. Students also need to complete several elective credits. The program culminates with Thesis Writing, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded education in visual arts.
Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies offers renewable Merit Scholarships to students who demonstrate excellence in their areas of creative practice. Merit scholarships are assessed based on the strength of the student’s application. In awarding merit scholarships we consider each student’s portfolio (if applying to a studio-based program), personal history of scholastic achievement, as well as their contributions to culture and community. No separate application is required to be considered for merit scholarships.
Willamette University