Admissions

How to prepare your portfolio

Your portfolio is your best opportunity to show us who you are as an artist or designer. Show us the work that is unique to you, work that showcases your ideas, imagination, willingness to experiment. We are looking for potential. You'll be able to give us insight into your point of view and your personal story.

Include a range of your best works showcasing core skills like drawing (emphasizing composition, contour, gesture, or life drawing) as well as experimental works such as mixed media or video.

Work is evaluated on conceptual content, design and composition, originality, technical skill, and creative potential.

First Year Application

Include a range of your best work and strongest interests. Applicants should showcase core skills like drawing (emphasizing composition, contour, gesture, or life drawing) as well as experimental works such as mixed media or video. Prepare 10 to 15 images or files which can include pieces like drawing, painting, sculpture, video, sound, animation, film, photography, graphic design, digital projects, performance, and installation, etc. For internet-based projects, submit a screenshot of the URL. Your portfolio MUST include a minimum of three traditional observational pieces from life. We recommend using charcoal, graphite, or ink, but we will accept any traditional medium (charcoal, graphite, ink, watercolor, pastel, paint, etc.). Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.

Examples of observational pieces:

• Figure drawing from life
• Portrait drawing from life
• Landscape drawing from observation
• Still life drawing from observation

Transfer Application

Transfer students must include three observational pieces and at least seven or more submissions that are applicable to their intended major. Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.

Examples of submissions that are applicable to the intended major:

• Animated Arts: Transfer applicants should include some basic experience with storytelling, character development, and sequential imagery.
• Creative Writing: Transfer applicants are required to include a visual portfolio of 10-15 images following the general portfolio guidelines.
• General Fine Arts: Transfer applicants should include a variety of studio and fine art-based work. Some examples include paintings,  sculptures, installations, drawings, etc.
• Graphic Design: Transfer applicants should be able to demonstrate how they think about design through traditional and digital methods. Work can include logos, branding, typography, UX/UI, motion graphics, product design, etc. Showing your process is recommended.
• Illustration: Transfer applicants should include a variety of imagery that demonstrates their abilities with storytelling and narrative-driven work. Some examples include digital or traditional character or concept design, backgrounds and environments, patterns, picture books and/or comics, toy design, etc.
• Intermedia: Transfer applicants should include a wide range of work with a conceptual focus. This can include anything from installations,  documentation of performance art, mixed media and/or new media, etc.
• Painting: Transfer applicants should include a variety of paintings and drawings. Observational drawing/painting, figure drawing/painting, and abstract drawing/painting are all encouraged. All mediums are acceptable including oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, charcoal, pencil, marker, mixed media, etc.
• Photography: Transfer applicants should include a variety of subject matter using traditional film or digital photography. This can include documentary/photojournalism, alternative and experimental processes, portraiture, landscape, etc.
• Printmaking: Transfer applicants should include printmaking techniques such as relief, etching, monotype, screen printing, lithography, etc. or other forms of traditional media.
• Sculpture: Transfer applicants should include examples of 3D work that is well documented. This can include traditional sculpture with clay materials, ceramics, wood, metal, mixed media, fabric/soft sculpture, etc.

Examples of observational pieces:

• Figure drawing from life
• Portrait drawing from life
• Landscape drawing from observation
• Still life drawing from observation

For ALL Applications

All submissions must be recent work, no older than two years.

All applicants (First Year and Transfers) MUST include a minimum of three traditional observational pieces in their portfolio. Submissions should be observational/from life. We recommend using charcoal, graphite, or ink, but we will accept any traditional medium (charcoal, graphite, ink, watercolor, pastel, paint, etc.). Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.

Examples of observational pieces:

• Figure drawing from life
• Portrait drawing from life
• Landscape drawing from observation
• Still life drawing from observation

Creative Writing Reminder

In addition to the 10 pages of writing samples, applicants are required to include a visual portfolio of 10-15 images following the general portfolio guidelines.

The following are NOT acceptable in your PNCA portfolio

• AI generated images
• Artwork made with Canva
• Artwork made with Adobe Spark
• Fan art
• Twitch or streaming game content (unless the game was completely created by the applicant)
• Master copies (i.e. Starry Night, Girl With A Pearl Earring, American Gothic, etc.)
• Celebrity portraits
• Group/collaborative artwork (art done in a collaborative setting by multiple artists including the applicant)

Please be aware, while PNCA at Willamette understands the use of AI programs are tools that can be helpful in the process of generating artistic ideas, an applicant should not submit any art that has not been created by the individual applicant.

If you have any questions about what to include, contact us in the Admissions Office at 503-821-8972 or pncaadmissions@willamette.edu.

For each piece you will upload to your portfolio on our application page, you will need

• Title
• Medium
• Dimensions (2D/3D artwork) / Length (Time-based work)

File format guidelines:

Please don't submit original works directly to the Admissions Office.

Writing Samples

If you are considering Creative Writing as a major, you will submit two writing samples in PDF format in addition to your visual arts portfolio. Samples may be in any type of writing genre (fiction, non-fiction narrative, plays, scripts, poems, etc.), and can be an excerpt from a longer work. Samples should be no longer than 5 pages, double-spaced, single-sided, with a 10 pt font and 1.25” margins. Please include your full legal name at the beginning of the sample.

AP Scores

PNCA grants credit for specific course requirements based on Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations of the College Board. Scores must be submitted to PNCA by the testing service. Credit is available in Art History, Literature, Natural Science, Mathematics, and Social Science.

Letters of Recommendation

Submitting a letter of recommendation is optional. If you choose to include a letter, we suggest that it be from a current teacher, guidance counselor, or mentor. Your recommendation letter may also be from an employer or professional reference. Do not request a letter from a family member. The letter of recommendation must be emailed or mailed  to the PNCA Admissions office directly from the person writing the recommendation letter. When you apply, there will be instructions on how your recommender can submit the letter of recommendation.

Notification of Acceptance

The Admissions Office reviews applications once we have received all required materials from the applicant. You will receive your admission decision by mail and email.

Tuition Deposit

If you accept PNCA’s offer of admission, a non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is required to secure a place in the incoming class and gain registration privileges. The $500 deposit is credited to your student account upon registration.

Participation in peaceful protests and demonstrations

Pacific Northwest College of Art respects the First Amendment rights of those who wish to participate in peaceful protests and demonstrations. Applicants, admitted, and deposited students will not be negatively impacted in our admission process if they choose to participate in such protests. We will not rescind any offers of admission to students who choose to exercise their rights, regardless of their high school’s disciplinary policy.