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Willamette University

Pre-College Art and Design Programs at PNCA

At the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) in Portland, Oregon, our Pre-College programs give high school students ages 14 to 18 the chance to explore art and design in a real college setting. With flexible options, like weekend workshops and summer intensives, students can grow their creative skills, build a portfolio, and experience life at one of the top ranked art and design schools in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Taught by professional artists, illustrators, animators, and designers, our classes combine hands-on instruction with mentorship, community, and real-world relevance. Whether you’re considering a future in a creative industry or simply want to experiment, there’s a place for you at PNCA.

Why Choose Pre-College at PNCA?

  • Choose from programs in animation, indie media, design, and studio art
  • Learn from working artists and designers with current industry experience
  • Work in downtown Portland, where PNCA is the front porch for Portland’s vibrant creative scene
  • Explore college-level art and design in a studio environment
  • Build your art and design portfolio for college applications
A student working on an art project at PNCA

Saturday Art and Design Classes for Teens

Designed for emerging artists, these single-day Saturday classes are ideal for young creatives with varied interests and busy schedules.

Several students working on an art project at PNCA

Summer Art and Design Intensives

Experience art and design school firsthand with a two-week Pre-College Summer Intensive at PNCA. Dive into technical artmaking, develop your portfolio, and explore professional practice skills with the support of current PNCA professors and industry leading guests. All Summer Intensives include a wrap-up portfolio review with PNCA Admissions and high-quality documentation of your work. Whether you’re exploring a future in art and design, or just want to gain confidence in your creative abilities, a Summer Intensive at PNCA is the perfect way to get started.

Apply now for Summer 2026!

Priority deadline: April 1, 2026
Last chance deadline: May 1, 2026

Questions? Reach out to our team at pnca-community-education@willamette.edu to learn more about Summer Intensives!

Closeup of an art project and a mobile phone with a Portland Oregon photo on the screen.

  • Foundation Intensive

    Dig deep into studio art with two weeks of drawing, painting, ceramics, mixed media, and digital art workshops, build up your portfolio, and curate and present a group exhibition in one of PNCA’s galleries. 


    Session 1: July 6-17, 2026

    Session 2: July 20-31, 2026 


    Tuition: $2,250

    (Scholarships and payment plans available)

  • Animation Intensive

    Spend two weeks immersed in stop-motion animation with workshops in storyboarding, character design, and fabrication, develop your portfolio, and showcase your work in PNCA’s Mediatheque. 


    Session 1: July 6-17, 2026

    Session 2: July 20-31, 2026


    Tuition: $2,250

    (Scholarships and payment plans available)

Willamette University

PNCA Pre-College Programs